Broken Resolutions

Every New Year I make the same set of resolutions.

To look like this in a bikini.

To eat more of these.

To do more of this.

To drink less of this.

To use these less.

And to attend here more.

Normally my New Year's Resolutions come with a two week shelf life. This year I hope to make some more long term and realistic resolutions. Here is my list so far:
- To learn to cook homemade fried chicken, biscuits from scratch, whole beef tenderloin, souffle, and beef wellington (my husband's addition to my list). In stark contrast to my past resolutions (to eat more veggies and workout), but I am a southerner I need to learn to cook these things!
- To volunteer my time to help others.
- To worry less about little things. Like always having a clean house, all the laundry being done and toys put away.
- To learn to touch up my own roots. Having blond hair is expensive!
- To give more money to our church.
- To stop buying Sterling clothes, how many outfits does a one year old need?
- To paint an abstract painting. I swear some of the abstract paintings look like a 5 year old did it.
- To get over my fear of flying. I know 99% of it is mental.
- To remember to be thankful each day for my family and all the blessings in my life.

I have strong intentions to fulfill all these resolutions and hopefully blog to you about them! I can not believe 2011 is two days away! What are your resolutions?

A Season of Firsts

We had such a wonderful Christmas at home visiting with family and friends. It was nice to see all my old girlfriends and my grandfather who I don't get to see too often! I definitely ate and drank too much, but that is what the holidays are all about right?? I am doing a major detox come January 1!

STERLING'S FIRST CHRISTMAS
For some reason on Christmas Day I hardly took any pictures. I think the excitement of it all and going to three different houses, I just forgot to take pictures. Santa had also brought us a new camera that I was still figuring out how to use!



I did manage to get a picture of Sterling with his Uncle Logan. The outfit Sterling is wearing was my brother's when he was a baby. How cute is that?


Both sets of grandparents who made Sterling's first Christmas a huge success!

STERLING'S FIRST CAR


Santa brought Sterling this awesome little tikes car! We thought he would love it but he doesn't seem so sure about this car thing!

STERLING'S FIRST SNOW
We were lucky enough to get snow on Christmas in Charlotte. It started snowing that night and lasted through the next day. I was so excited because we never get snow in Charleston and I have always wanted a white Christmas! Looks like my wish was granted!




STERLING'S FIRST DINNER AT A SWANKY STEAKHOUSE
My parents anniversary falls on December 27. This year it was their 35 anniversary so my dad wanted to do it up right! He surprised my mom with a trip to the Ritz in Amelia Island and started it all off with a family dinner at Delfriscos. One of the most delicious steakhouses in Charlotte!


Looks like my little man has good taste and likes a nice dinner out!


He is not too sure about the mango sorbet! I think it is the coldest thing he has tasted!

Dinner was a hit! I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday! Hard to believe it has come and gone already!

Moon Intuition

I have always thought that my mom, my sister, and I had an unusual bond. My sister and I are exactly 2 years apart to the week and my mom is honestly best friend. I don't know what I would do without all our daily talks (10 plus times a day), girl dinners, and clothes sharing. We all always seem to be exactly on the same page. So, I should not have been shocked when we all picked the same Christmas gift for each other. You see, my grandmother (my mom's mom) died 9 years ago. Hard to believe because we all loved her so much and she was fairly young, 74 years old. Her maiden name was Moon, which if I ever have a daughter will be her middle name. Ever since she died we frequently see moons in the back ground of pictures of we take. No rhyme or reason, flash or no flash, they often show up in many family pictures. We like to think it is my grandmother smiling down on us and watching us. The day I checked into the hospital to have Sterling, they gave me a gown that had moons on it, so I knew my grandmother was there watching. Moons have a very special place in our hearts.

My mom, my sis and I all have the Jennifer Zeuner Initial Necklaces, it was my push present with Sterling's initials.


I knew when JZ came out with some new designs and one was a moon with a ruby (my grandmother's birthstone) it was meant to be for my mom's Christmas gift. Apparently my mom had the same idea because she gave my sister and I the same necklace. How crazy is that?? I guess my grandmother was smiling down on us:)

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to all my wonderful Blogger friends! I am so thankful to have you as followers and hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing Christmas with your loved ones!! Here is the Christmas Card I ended up sending out this year. I couldn't commit to just one picture so I did two different cards. Both of the cards are William Arthur my absolute favorite line for cards and paper products. A bit pricey but if you wait til after Christmas sales you can stock up for the next year!
Merry Christmas! xoxo

Read, Watch, Listen

Tis the season to be lazy. I am visiting my parents for the week and enjoying some much needed relaxation. Here is a peek at what I have been doing the last few days.

READING
Rachel Zoe's Style A To Zoe.
I bought this book a few years ago but have been revisiting it. I forgot how much I love Mrs. Zoe. This book has great fashion and styling tips.


WATCHING
Charlie St. Cloud.
Not the best movie ever but Zac Efron looks scrumptious. Definitely worth watching for the shirtless scenes with Zac.


Giuliana and Bill.
Now that I am at home visiting my rents, I can catch up on the whole season of Giuliana and Bill. I dvred all the episodes since we don't get the Style network in Charleston (tragic, I mean what cable provider doesn't offer the Style Network). I had forgotten how much I love them. I hope their marriage doesn't suffer the same curse of all reality tv show marriages. I also really hope Giuliana gets pregnant soon. They honestly seem like the sweetest couple. I feel like if I met them we would totally be friends.


LISTENING
Mumford and Sons

Crowfield


To say I am obsessed with these two bands is an understatement. I have their cds on repeat in my car. Listen to them if you never have!

Tonight is ladies night out with all my old girlfriends. Gotta love having a free babysitter= my parents! Hope everyone else is enjoying this holiday week!

Bedroom Inspiration

As many of you know I have been in the long process of trying to update our master bedroom. I came across these images I had saved for inspiration and thought I would share them! Can you see a common theme of things I like? Mirrors over beds, wallpaper, geometric patterns and tufted headboards!



Love the black butterflies. This reminds me of Serena Vanderwoodsens room on Gossip Girl, which I J'adore! Don't think the hubs will be down with butterflies though. Maybe if I have a baby girl I could do this in her nursery one day. Also how insane is that huge velvet bed?

Love the headboard, mirrored dresser and accents of pink.

I am totally gaga for a geometric print and the chocolate/white combo is gorgeous.

Tufted headboard, fabulous mirror and gold poofs. This room is perfection.

I am dying over this wallpaper and the yellow lamps. So modern and glamorous!

I love the chandelier. I really want a chandelier in our room but the hubby insists on an ugly ceiling fan. Barf, a chandelier would look so much better!

Loving the rug and dark chocolate walls. Not sure I have the guts to paint my room this dark but it seems so soothing and perfect for sleeping!

A Champion's Dinner

The hubs went to Jacksonville to run his first half marathon this weekend. He did stellar, 1 hour and 51 minutes, I am so proud of him. And yes he wore his medal all night he received for completing the race! He traveled there with his best friend Lat and his girlfriend Alice, who would be staying with us too. I wanted to have a hearty meal ready for them when they got back in town Sunday night because I knew they would be exhausted and hungry. On the Menu is White Chicken Chili and Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread. The White Chicken Chili Recipe comes from my new blogger friend Chassity at Look Linger Love. She promised me it was a crowd pleaser and she was right. It is super easy which is always a plus in my book and delicious! I have searched long and hard for a good White Chicken Chili recipe and this is it! Trust me and Chassity when we say this Chili is the bomb.

WHITE CHICKEN CHILI


Onion, garlic and herbs simmering

Chicken added to saute with herbs

Chicken Broth, white beans, and green chillies added

The finished product! You can get the recipe HERE on Chassity's blog.
**Note: I added a sauteed onion to Chassity's recipe.**

The Jalapeno Cornbread is from my favorite gal, Ina. It is out of her Barefoot at Home Cookbook. The cornbread smelled so good cooking I immediately ate a piece as soon as I took it out of the oven. I didn't even wait for it to cool:) It melted in my mouth, it was so tasty! I need to get the leftovers out of my house before I polish a whole pan of this bread off!

JALAPENO CHEDDAR CORNBREAD


Dry and Wet Ingredients mixed

The white sharp cheddar cheese, scallions and fresh jalapenos.

Cheese, peppers and onions added to mix.

Deliciousness, make this asap.

Cornbread Recipe
This is the perfect meal for a cozy night at home.