Thursday, December 31, 2015

twenty fifteen

2015 was a busy year for our family! So many new adventures, memories made, and so much fun was had!


January | My most favorite memory from this month was when the girls and I surprised Josh by driving up to Virginia while he was working. He had been there off and on for about six weeks so he was so excited to see us. His face made the crazy drive there so worth it.

February | Josh started his new and current job. It was one of the greatest blessings for us. He now works for a wonderful company that appreciates and respects him.

March | We celebrated Julianna's fifth birthday with a dress up party. I can't believe how fast she's growing up!

April | We celebrated Easter, took several trips to the zoo, and went exploring at Hanging Rock. I also starting going to the YMCA regularly which was so good for me. I've never worked out on a regular basis so I am now feeling healthier and stronger than I have ever have before. 

May | Our little Olivia turned three years old! She had a blast partying at the children's museum with her friends and family.

June | We took our annual family vacation to the Outer Banks. Josh and I also celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary!

July | This was probably our busiest month of the year! I won a trip to NYC so we got to go for the weekend of the fourth to explore the city and go to the Yankees game. Josh celebrated his birthday by driving us home from the city. I worked at summer camp and we visited South Carolina. 

August | We went to Oak Island for a long weekend and it was so beautiful. Julianna and Olivia began their dance year and Julianna started kindergarten! Seriously... where does the time go?! 

September | Olivia officially began preschool and was so excited about the new adventure. We also went hiking as a family at Pilot Mountain.

October | We visited the pumpkin patch and picked apples. We also were able to take the girls to Tweetsie Railroad for the day. They had so much fun despite the yucky weather.

November | I celebrated my 30th birthday! I was surprised with a birthday dinner with friends and I was able to go on a weekend trip to Blowing Rock and Linville Falls. It was the perfect birthday!

December | It was a busy month of Christmas traditions and celebrations. We ended the month with a another visit to South Carolina. 

And I can't wrap up the year without sharing my favorite outfits from twenty fifteen...






Here's to a bright and adventurous 2016! Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

fancy croakies

I'm so excited to show y'all these "fancy croakies." I've never actually owned a pair of croakies aka sunglass straps before because they just really didn't fit my style. I was thrilled to discover Sintilla, who specializes in these gorgeous sunglass straps that are functional and fashionable! These straps are literally like jewelry. They add sparkle to your outfit while protecting your shades from going missing. You've got to check out the whole collection. My favorite picks are below! 

sintillia, collaboration, sunglass straps

sintillia, collaboration, sunglass straps

sintillia, collaboration, sunglass straps

sintillia, collaboration, sunglass straps

sintillia, collaboration, sunglass straps

sintillia, collaboration, sunglass straps
Which one is your favorite?

Sintillia is designed to inspire everyone to chase their dreams and follow the sun, traveling the world. 
Sintillia
#followthesun

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

what i wore

#whatiwore | an instagram roundup

holiday style, lace up flats, how to carry a clutch
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how to wear statement earrings, casual glam, converse shoes
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how to wear hunter boots, chloe dupe, style on a budget
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look for less, mom style, leopard print top
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Monday, December 28, 2015

i have nothing to wear

I have nothing to wear. My husband cringes when he hears me say that little phrase. It's obviously not true because I have a closet full of clothes. But some days things just don't fit right. I literally have had no clue how to dress for "winter" when it's 70 degrees. I can't bring myself to wear spring clothes in December. 

So Saturday when I was getting dressed... somewhere after outfit number 4... I told my husband that I didn't have anything to wear. Then I remembered that I had this pretty cobalt blue top hanging in my closet from my most recent Lyon + Post box {go here for more info about this company and how you can get $30 towards your first purchase}. I decided to purchase this top because I don't own anything in this gorgeous shade of blue and I loved the details. It's a simple top but it's made special by the pretty sleeves and the gathering on the side. I added my favorite Kendra Scott necklace, glitter flats, ponte pants, and a Kate Spade bag. 

Casual yet chic. My favorite way to dress. So I guess I did have something to wear after all. 

kate spade, glitter flats, lyon + post

kate spade, glitter flats, lyon + post

kate spade, glitter flats, lyon + post

kate spade, glitter flats, lyon + post

kate spade, glitter flats, lyon + post

kate spade, glitter flats, lyon + post

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Sunday, December 27, 2015

sunday snaps

#sundaysnaps | week in review

This was such a busy, but exciting week celebrating Christmas! We enjoyed a Mexican food dinner with our friends on Wednesday night. Josh and I are thankful for the friendships that have flourished this year.

Weird weather + rain had me in a skirt with rain boots on Wednesday. 


On Christmas Eve, we made cookies for Santa to follow our tradition. We messed up the recipe and made a giant mess but we had so much fun in the process.

Every Christmas Eve, we go to church for the candlelight Christmas service and then we head to my parent's house for dinner and gifts. It's such a special time and I look forward to Christmas Eve all year long. My mom's tree was so beautiful.

These sweet girls woke up at 5:45 because they were so excited to see what Santa had brought them. They loved all of their surprises! 

My Santa did so good this year and I am pretty sure that he follows me on Pinterest because he knew exactly what I wanted. So many cute things!


My camera was my favorite gift. I have pretty much no clue how to use it yet but I am excited to learn. This is my very first photo using it. 

I am so thankful for the time we got to spend with all of our family and friends. And most of all I'm thankful for Jesus. I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

And the angel said to them, “fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:10-11 ESV

sparkle + shine

This is my favorite time of year to add some sparkle + shine to my wardrobe. I'm a mom of a five year old and a three year so I'm not going out to a fancy party on New Years Eve but that doesn't mean I can't wear some glitter to the grocery store! I love mixing glam with casual... and I would kind of describe that as my style. Pair these glittery heels with your favorite skinny jeans and a t-shirt for an instant put together look. Don't be afraid to add some sparkle... even if you are ringing in your New Year on your couch. Here's some of my favorite pieces to help you do just that:


Thursday, December 24, 2015

christmas style + traditions




Happy Christmas Eve! This is my absolute favorite time of the year. I love Christmas! I wanted to share a few of our family's Christmas traditions as well as some Christmas style.

Josh and I didn't really have many Christmas traditions until we had our girls. We did the traditional things like visit family, see the lights, and exchange gifts but not much other than that. Once our girls were born, Christmas took on a whole new light. It was magical again and I love that.

We always put up our tree on Thanksgiving and decorate the next day. This year the girls decorated the tree almost completely themselves except for what they couldn't reach. Our tree doesn't follow any theme except that it's a representation of us as a family. Each ornament was either handmade or it holds special meaning. Our elf comes to our house on Thanksgiving night as well. She delivers the girls Christmas pajamas. Our elf stays through Christmas Eve... and she doesn't make messes that are hard to clean up. Haha. On Christmas Eve, the girls and I make cookies for Santa together. We go to church as a family for the candlelight service and then go to my parents house for dinner and gifts. For Christmas, the girls get a gift from Santa {unwrapped} and three other wrapped gifts from us. The other three gifts are something to wear, something to read, and something they want. This keeps things more simple and more meaningful. They also get a stocking full of small goodies. On Christmas morning, Josh always makes us sausage balls for breakfast and I make a dish to take with us for his family's Christmas Day festivities.

Each year we seem to add another little tradition. What are your favorite Christmas traditions? And below you will find some Christmas style inspiration to help you get dressed today and tomorrow.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy this special time of remembering the birth of Jesus Christ!

holiday style, christmas traditions, merry christmas
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holiday style, christmas traditions, merry christmas
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holiday style, christmas traditions, merry christmas
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Wednesday, December 23, 2015

cozy chic

I'd like to describe my fall/winter style as cozy and chic! It's definitely almost always cozy and I try to keep the look chic by adding in the perfect accessories. Right now I am loving cozy, long cardigans for layering. I wore this Target cardigan to church on Sunday with a suede mini skirt and then to Wal-Mart last night with leggings. It's versatile, extra soft, and of course, cozy! 

Oh and I have to share my favorite brand of tights. These tights are by Hue and they are the absolute best! I've tried my fair share of tights and despised wearing them as a little girl. These are easy to get on, stay put {I can't stand when they slide down}, wash up well on the gentle cycle, and don't pick easily. Oh and they are affordable! 

How do you stay cozy this time of year?

cozy and chic, how to wear a suede mini skirt, mom style

Old Navy turtleneck | similar here
Target cardigan {on sale for about $20!}
Wal-Mart boots | similar here
eBay necklace | similar here
Target clutch {sold out} | similar here

cozy and chic, how to wear a suede mini skirt, mom style

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