Tribute To 2013!

2013, what a year it has been!  Many changes have occurred in my life over the past year…some good and some not what I would have wanted.  But in the end, I can truly say that throughout all of the changes, I have grown as a person and have seen that many of the changes actually were for the best.  In 2013, I changed my major, I grew in my job at The White Crane and also strengthened many friendships with the ladies who work there…what a blessing they have been!  In 2013, I traveled a lot, I realized that you don't have to be crafty to actually be crafty (hehe).  This year, I have taken on many more responsibilities which have become a part of my daily life.  Most importantly, I grew as a person by realizing that everything occurring throughout the year may not have been in my plan…but it's not my plan, it's God's plan for me.  That is something I have constantly been reminding myself of this year and will continue to do throughout 2014.  

The pictures above are some of my favorite outfits from 2013.  As I was putting this together, I realized that these are not just outfit pictures, but they're a collection of memories.  Each of these pictures makes me think of the places I visited, who I visited them with, what was currently going on in my life at the time, the holidays being celebrated…so many memories!  That is one way that I can sum up my blog also.  I like to look back at my posts over the past year and see how I've changed and the memories I've made throughout.

My blog in general has been such a blessing to me.  I never knew I'd grow to love my little space on the internet so much.  I want to say a huge thank you to all of you who have been reading my blog, taking the time to stop by.  The comments and emails I receive mean so much to me.  The opportunities I have been blessed with amaze me.  The friendships I have made through blogging warm my heart.  So, THANK YOU!  Thank you to everyone who stops by to read what I post and may you have a very happy and blessed 2014!

Stay Tuned!

NYE Inspiration

Happy Monday, everyone!  Today's post is all about New Years Eve inspiration.  I'm going to share my three favorite outfit ideas along with my three favorite NYE inspired pins.  

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The LBD is a go-to.  It's the perfect dress for a New Years Eve celebration.  If it's sparkly, I think that makes it perfect.  Want to spice it up a bit?  Throw on some colored pumps and matching jewelry.  If your LBD isn't sparkly, a jeweled collar or statement necklace will add a nice touch.

I love this Pinterest idea for a Happy New Year cake!

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My second idea for NYE outfit inspiration is to tuck a shimmery or jeweled statement top into your plain black skirt.  This is actually the style I'm going with this year.  A bow belt is a nice touch.  I'm actually going to attempt to create the perfect bow for mine this year, so we'll see how that goes. 

How cute are these glittery spoons?  Just a little more Pinteresting NYE inspiration.

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This outfit is sweet, shimmery, and simple.  How perfect it is for NYE!

This is my favorite NYE pin.  I mean how gorgeous can you get!  I'd love to get my hands on any of these glamorous dresses.

I hope you're feeling ready for NYE!  I say the sparklier the better.

Stay Tuned!

Random Findings

Two things I love about after Christmas shopping are sales and gift card spending.  I tend to receive a gift card to Sephora each year (what could be better)!  I decided to stop by Sephora tonight just to browse, and ended up walking out with several new nail polishes.  It's like the colors just jumped out at me, and I could see myself loving these.  I chose a neutral, a pink, a blueish-navy, and a gold glitter/pink confetti.

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I also decided to stop by Ann Taylor, and I'm so glad I did!  The whole store was on sale.  This bracelet was calling me.  Being 40% off, I could't say no.

This champagne sweater with a black crocheted peter pan collar (also from Ann Taylor) was on the sale rack.  All sale items were an extra 50% off.  I felt this was so me, so I had to have it.  It was regularly $80 and with the sale price and an extra 50% off that, I scored it for around $25.  It will serve as a great basic piece.

Have you caught any great after Christmas sales?  Do share!

Stay Tuned!

Ringing In The New Year!

It's time to plan your New Years Eve attire and get ready to ring in 2014 in style! I started with my nails.  I usually get gel polish since I tend to be rough on my nails.  Nevertheless,  I chose a gold glitter polish!  I felt it would be perfect for the occasion.

Pinterest

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I love so many of the dresses on Piperlime!  They are currently having a great dress sale.

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"What are you {wearing} New Years, New Years Eve?"

Stay Tuned!

A New Excitement

Instagram

For Christmas this year, the number one thing I asked for was a new camera.  Santa brought me the Nikon D5100, and I'm so excited.  I love photography, so I'm hoping this will take me to the next level with it.  I always feel that an exciting part of receiving a new electronic is being able to dress it up, add an accessory, make it more "you"!  That's what I did with my Bloom Theory camera strap.  The bow makes it perfect for me.  If you have a camera, you must look into these straps.  They are durable and just too darling.

Simply Bloom

Petite Chérie

Washed Ashore Gold

Chevron

Cloud Cover

Gold Mine

If you have a camera, I highly recommend one of these straps. 

Maybe you got a new iPhone for Christmas, a new iPad (take a look at these), a Nook…here are a few accessories you might just love.

Merry Christmas!

The Christmas treats have been baked. 

The presents are officially all wrapped and ready to be unwrapped on Christmas morning.

My favorite paper this year!

One of my favorite Christmas outfits of the season. 

Reindog Jaycee making her appearance once again.

Christmas Eve attire.

Christmas Traditions

Merry Christmas, friends!  Christmas is the most wonderful day of the entire year.  The whole season is such a joyous one.  The decorating, gifting, bringing joy to others, and most importantly, remembering that Jesus is the reason for the season all brings me excitement like no other holiday.  Here are a few of my favorite Christmas traditions.  I absolutely love Christmas Eve.  Each year, my family and I get dressed up and attend the candle light service at our church.  Following this, we go look at Christmas lights.  For dinner, we go to my grandparents house and eat cheese fondue.  The cheese fondue tradition has been around in my family for thirty-three years now.  On Christmas morning, we start out by opening a few presents.  My grandparents come over for the scrumptious Christmas brunch that my mother prepares (breakfast casseroles, monkey bread, french toast, etc.).  Then, we finish the present opening and enjoy the afternoon.  Christmas dinner follows.  I can't wait to make more Christmas memories today with the ones I love so dearly.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!  

For to us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government should be upon his shoulders: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

A Tiny Reindeer

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!  I can't believe this day is finally here.  I look forward to Christmas Eve all year long.  It's filled with so much love and joy, while the excitement of Christmas lingers a little while longer.  One of my to-dos for today was to deliver the neighbor gifts!  I couldn't do it without my trusty reindog :D I found these doggie antlers at Target last year.  They fit her head perfectly this year, and to my surprise, she didn't mind them at all and kept them on long enough to deliver gifts.

Jaycee and I wish each and every one of you a blessed Christmas Eve! What are your Christmas Eve plans?

Stay Tuned!

A Dream Come Shoe

Last year, I declared this pair of Manolo Blahniks to be my dream pair of shoes.  The pointy toe, the bow, everything about the shoe was absolutely perfect.  I saw the price and knew that they couldn't be mine.  Well, you probably have seen me wearing them in several outfit posts on my blog and before that, I included them in at least one of the "shoes I love" posts.  So, you know I have them.  Thanks to the Saks yearly huge designer shoe sale, I was able to make these pretties mine.  You see, there's a story that goes along with these shoes.  It's a little too long to tell, but after visiting the Saks store to find them 70% off, trying to make my foot fit into a size smaller, having three sales associates check the stock room, and the last one to check finding my exact size, I was able to call these shoes my "dream come shoes."  

Why am I telling all of this, well because Saks started their huge designer sale today (I'm loving the shoes)!  If you have been eyeing a pair of designer shoes, there's a good chance you could find them for 70% off.

Here are a few of the ones I'm oohing and aahing over. 

Manolos

Chloé

'

Oscar De La Renta

Loeffler Randall

Loeffler Randall

Oscar De La Renta

These prices are pretty amazing!  

Happy Shopping!

Dear Santa...

I ran into Santa while doing some last minutes shopping the other day, and I left my list with him!  There are a few things that I'd love to have.  

Some I want, two or three I need, and the rest I want need!

1. The item at the tip top of my list is a camera!  I'm wanting the Nikon D5100 as I've heard great things about it.  It was first recommended to me by Caitlin over at Southern Curls & Pearls Blog.
2. Secondly, I want a camera strap to go along with it.  Just a cute, preppy, fun camera strap that fits my personality.
3. I've had my eyes on the J.Crew Excursion Vest in deep riviera blue. I put it on my list, and if I receive it, I am going to have it monogrammed. 
4. There's also a certain J.Crew Statement Necklace I'm loving, wanting, and needing!
5. The shop I work at, The White Crane, specializes in selling fine china. My Mama decided to start me a pattern, and I'm so happy she did! I always hope for another piece to add to my collection each occasion since finishing up the set will take quite a few years.
6. There's a Brooks Brothers purse I've had my eyes on simply because it's brown with tortoise accents!
7. I need a new set of sheets (boring I know) but there is no better time to ask for something you don't want to buy yourself!
8. I love my fun little statement rings, so I'd love something similar to this anchor ring.
9. I have had the Hunter Packable Boots on my list ever since they came out!  I love the idea of them being easy to travel with and flexible to wear.

I'm always happy with lots of surprises!  What are you asking for this Christmas?

Stay Tuned!

Classy Beads

Top: Penguin by Munsingwear

Pants: Lilly Pulitzer

Flats: Manolo Blahnik

Bag: Kate Spade 

Necklace: J.Crew Factory

Bracelets: Elizah Faith Designs

This weekend has been a warm one!  Since it was in the seventies today and didn't feel at all like Christmas time, I decided my Lilly travel pants and a silk top would be perfect to wear today to fit the season but not be burning hot at the same time.  I love pairing pink with black and turquoise.  That's why my beads from Elizah Faith Designs were the perfect match!  My friend, Sh'Lika makes these beads and does a fabulous job!  She truly has a talent.  The blue beads with pearls and the hint of sparkle bead (my favorite bead on the bracelet) make these perfect for layering and pairing.  You can browse Sh'Lika's Etsy shop or on Facebook to see more.  Not all of her styles (these bracelets for instance) are up on her store, so be sure to email her to see more!  What I love the most is that she named her shop after her darling daughter, Elizah.  You may have seen this precious little girl in my last post on recent happenings.

Aren't these beads so pretty?

Stay Tuned!