Thursday, December 31, 2015

Goodbye 2015, Hello 2016



The older we get the quicker the years seem to fly by.  I feel like it was just yesterday that I was in the hospital having Sterling and Frances Moon and they are now 2 and almost 6!! I turned 35 this year and I remember when that seemed so old to me.  40 is creeping up but I am embracing getting older.  I have gained so much more confidence the older I have gotten and I care less about the unimportant things in life. Each year I learn more about myself and strive to be a better version of me.

2015 was good to us in many ways.  We lost our dear dog Nelson, but gained Rodney who feels like he has always been a part of our family.  We could not have asked for a better rescue dog.  Sterling started kindergarten which was probably my biggest concern this year but he is thriving and loves it.  It is amazing to me how much they learn in kindergarten! He can read so many words now, count over 100 and even do some easy Math.  Frances has really come into her own and her little personality is starting to show.  We have nicknamed her Fiesty Frances because of her attitude:) She is growing up so quickly and I just want to slow down time a little bit.  We did some fun house projects to our house and can't wait to do even more updates next year. 
 I got to travel more than I usually do this past year to Dallas, New York, St Maarten, and Palmetto Bluff and enjoyed every minute of those trips.  I gained a new nephew yesterday,  just in time for the New Year.  My heart fills so incredibly full.

I am especially thankful for these two and Matt.  They are my everything.


 I have had so many incredible opportunities with my blog this past year.  Helping to design a purse with Gigi New York was such a dream come true and a big highlight of 2015.  I also worked with so many other amazing companies.  I am thankful everyday for the opportunities this blog has brought to me.  I get to do a job that I love and work from home and I feel so fortunate for that.

I also want to thank all of you who read this blog.  I remember when I started it 5 years ago I figured just my family and close friends would read it, so I am incredibly thankful to all you out there who read my blog and have helped it grow.  I love when people come up to me in person and tell me they read my blog- that really makes my day!!  So thank you to all of you who have stopped me to say hello:)  My blog is such a bright spot in my life and I feel so lucky to be able to write this blog and connect with so many wonderful and inspiring people.


At the end of each year I like to compile a list of things I want to do.  Not necessarily resolutions but goals for that New Year.  I love the idea of a fresh start and get so inspired at the start of the New Year.


Here is my list for 2016:

Travel more, even if it is just a weekend getaway.

Volunteer my time.  Now that the kids are getting older I want them to see how important it is to serve and help others.

Exercise consistently.  This is going to be my year to really get in shape and tone up.

Try more new recipes out.  Nothing inspires me more than cooking.

Eat more real food and less processed foods.  I also want to keep eating less meat.  

Be kind to everyone and less judgmental.

Update our family room.  We spend so much time in that room, I want to brighten it up like our dining room.

Get organized with my pictures and the kid's art.  I want to upload their art into the digital books and print more photos to put in albums.

Tell my family that I love them more often.

Do more small acts of kindness, even if it is a simple hand written note.

Be more present and put my phone away more.

Read more books.

Drink more water.

Be Thankful. 


I wish each and everyone of you a Happy New Year!  
The kids are especially excited this year we bought them fun hats and apple cider that they already got into this afternoon:)  I hope your New Year is as fun as theirs.


Here is to 2016 being a fabulous year!




























Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Favorite Healthy Recipes of 2015

With 2015 drawing to an end it has me thinking about New Year's and getting back on track after the indulgent holidays.  I love to start the New Year with fresh healthy foods.  Today I wanted to share a few of my favorite healthy recipes from this past year.  Cleary,  I love a good salad!  You can expect lots more healthy recipes to come in 2016!   Just click on the recipe name to take you to the actual recipe.
Bon Appetit!














































Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Style Files | Vol 1 Watercolors

I have not posted many outfit pictures lately besides selfies and for the New Year I want to start sharing more outfits.  One of my favorite things about reading other people's blogs is seeing how they style their outfits.  It brings me a lot of inspiration.  We all have different personal styles and it is fun to see how outfits actually look on.



A few weeks ago Hammitt, a purse line, reached out to me and asked if I wanted to review a purse from their line.  I was excited because I don't own a Hammitt purse.  I had seen them carried at a few local stores like Finicky Filly and really loved the look.   They are known for their use of studs or grommets on their purses.  They have almost an industrial feel which I really like.

I went with a cross body style and I love this style because it has so much room inside! 
It is a great everyday purse and also great if you are traveling because you can fold it or roll it for packing purposes.  I carried mine all week while I was home.
 I am carrying the Andrew Crossbody.  It comes in about 8 different colors.  I have the Cappuccino color combo.  I also really like this brown color.  The leather on mine has some fading and color variation and this one is more of an even tone.


I fell in love with this BCBG Dress because of the print.  I thought the colors were gorgeous.  It reminded me of an abstract painting.  Sizing wise it runs TTS.  It is a looser fitting dress which I like.   I am wearing a size small.  I also really like the collar and sleeve details.

The same print also comes in a gorgeous blouse version.

and don't miss out Shopbop is offering extra 25% off all sale items with code EXTRAEXTRA.
The same style dress I am wearing is onsale in this pattern, plus the extra 25% off.

Other favorites on sale right now at Shopbop.









Monday, December 28, 2015

Scenes From Our Christmas

Hard to believe another Christmas has come and gone!  I have to admit this year just didn't quite feel like Christmas.  I am not sure if it was the warm weather or what but it just didn't feel quite the same.  We spent our Christmas in Charlotte.  I always seeing my family and catching up with old friends. 
We had such a wonderful Christmas and I loved seeing how excited the kids were.  Christmas is so magical through the eyes of children.
 As much as I love Christmas, I love the New Year too.  I love a fresh start and getting organized and back in a routine.  I am excited to start taking down our decorations today and get ready for the New Year!

A few snapshots from our Christmas.

My mom surprised Sterling with these Elf Pj's that I am not kidding he wore for 3 days straight.  Giving Buddy the Elf a run for his money.

On Christmas Eve Eve we always attend a family party.  Feeling festive with my plaid blouse and my Dad's martini's are always a favorite when I am home.

Still rocking his Elf Outfit:)

We took the kid's last minute Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve.  Frances and Finley are Sterling's posse. 

Christmas Eve getting ready to assemble Santa Gifts.

Christmas Morning we made the most delicious Grits and Sausage Casserole.  It was super easy to make ahead,  I assembled it the night before and we all loved it!
  I used ground sausage instead of smoked sausage and added in some Gouda cheese.

The kids bikes were their favorite Santa gifts.


Christmas Night we celebrate with my brother and sister and their families.

I wore an Equipment Dress.  It is the prettiest shade of dark green.  It also comes in black.  It does run on the smaller side so size up, I am in a medium.

Happy Hour Spread.  I am loving this Pottery Barn Platter my mom has.  It is the perfect platter for a kick ass cheese spread.  My mom actually me gave me hers because I wouldn't stop talking about it.  I love that it is up on feet, it makes for such a pretty presentation.

Sterling, Finley and Maxton in their matching Gap Tees.

Saturday afternoon I caught up with some girlfriends at my favorite spot when I am home, the Dean and Deluca wine bar.  We had way too much fun catching up and tasting wine flights.

I bought this Rebecca Taylor Blouse after Christmas during the sales and wore it out Saturday.  I really like the detail.

The kid''s other favorite Christmas gift was their raincoats and perfect timing since it rained the entire week we were home.  Frances has not taken off her pink Hunter rain boots since she got them!


One of my favorite Christmas gifts was this Joie Dress.  I am obsessed with the fringe detail at the bottom.  I have a feeling I will be wearing it often this Summer! It runs slightly on the larger side because it is a loose fit, I have size XS.
Today if you use code DECSAVE you can save $50 off it or any purchase over $200 at Neiman Marcus!


On Sunday my parent's celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.  How cute are they?  They are such an inspiration to me.

Getting excited for the New Year!