Merry Christmas To All & To All A Good Night!

Merry Christmas everyone!
I hope you've all had a fabulous day surrounded by the friends and family you love taking part in your favorite Christmas traditions.

My Christmas traditions are usually as follows: the night before we open up one present each right before bed then head off to wait for Santa, on Christmas morning we wake up at the crack of dawn to open presents, after opening presents my parents usually go back to bed while my sister and I head to the den to watch movies that we got for christmas. Around 9am we'd all go to my grandparents house {about a mile down the road...}, have the best Christmas breakfast with the most amazing homemade cheese biscuits{I've talked about my grandma's cooking before and trust me these biscuits are nothing short of life changing.}, open more presents and come home to relax continue watching movies the rest of the day. These traditions may seem like nothing special but they're what I look forward to them every year at Christmas.

This year we changed it up a little. Seeing as Christmas Eve is my Mother's birthday, Christmas usually over shadows her birthday completely. This year my sister and I spent the entire day with our mom. We woke up to give her some birthday presents {that we got the night before...don't judge us. She is literally the worst person to shop for! Almost worse than my sister! She never tells us anything she wants, her reply when we ask has always been "Oh, I don't need anything. Really, I don't." Umm, well it's your birthday so you're getting presents.}, went to town to take her out to lunch, pick up some last minute stocking stuffers, and some mandatory Starbucks. When we got home my sister and I cooked her a birthday dinner. We prepared Jalapeño Popper Chicken, Bacon wrapped Asparagus, and sautéed mushrooms, with birthday cake for dessert. After dinner we hopped in the car to go look at Christmas lights!

Christmas morning: Since we're older now my Mother didn't think it was necessary for us to wake up so early, SOOOO we made the sound decision to get up at 8am. We opened presents just like we do every year but plot twist instead of going to my grandparents house for Christmas breakfast, we had breakfast at home and had Christmas lunch at their house{Christmas ham and all}. Then we came home to fulfill the rest of our Christmas tradition and watch movies all day long. {My sister is currently in the kitchen cooking breakfast for dinner. YUM!}

What are your Christmas Traditions?

While you're spending time with your loved ones, please remember the real meaning of celebrating this season. Always acknowledge Christ,even in the simplest way by saying 'Merry Christmas' instead of saying 'Happy Holidays'.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. // Isaiah 9:6

xoxo, L

Two Are Better Than One

Hooray! Finals are over and now I can relax and enjoy the Christmas festivities! {Currently at a family Christmas party.} Since finals put me behind in my scheduled posts, I've decided to make today's a sort of "two in one" special; a OOTD and a What's In My Bag.

First OOTD:
This morning I had just gotten home from dog sitting and needed to quickly make a wardrobe change for our family Christmas party. I've been dying to wear these new pants but since they're mostly black I wanted to make them a bit more festive and bright with a red bubble necklace & white shirt.

 

 

Bringing Decision Points by George W. Bush with me to the party cause I'm sure there will be some down time to read and relax.

Outfit Recap:
Shirt $8 at Old Navy
Pixie Pants ~$30 at Old Navy
Quilted Vest  ~$30 at Old Navy
Red Bubble Necklace $20
Tortoise & Gold Michael Kors Watch $225
Embellished Flats $80 at Belk








What's In My Bag:
Always carry the essentials with you wherever you go.

Purse: Kate Spade
  -Again Decision Points for a good read. {Being the Bush lovin' Republican that I am, it's one of my favorite books. I love all books about/written by my favorite Presidents, and I highly recommend this one! In the book W. describes all of his difficult, important, wise decisions made during his presidency as well as his personal turning points in life.}
  -Vera Bradley Wallet/Wristlet
  -Kate Spade Double Zip Wristlet {Usually where I store an extra phone charger, headphones, and receipts.}
  -Lilly Pulitzer Umbrella {Because I hate rain and so does my hair so I'm always prepared!}
  -Southern Shirt Koozie {Cause you never know when you'll need it.}
  -Tory Burch Sunnies with Lilly Pulitzer croakies
  -Ticket from the Tryon Palace Eve of Revolution tour that we attended last night. {I despise New Bern but we had a nice time! Before the tour we were entertained by a sword swallower{is that the correct name?} and Signora Bella, who juggled flaming batons. The tour through the palace was more of an scripted interactive tour, jam packed with history facts. The night ended with a big firework display on the back lawn of Tryon Palace.}
  -Justin Bieber Hand Lotion {because it's my fave and I love the Biebs.}
  -My EOS egg
  -Red Estée Lauder Lipstick

She tucked away her coral lipstick and floated back to the party. // Kate Spade

Merry Christmas!
xoxo, L

It's Christmas Time

Ahhh... December.

A month where everything becomes magical in every sense {& not just because it's my Birthday month; 21 HOLLA}.  There's just something about the cold days filled with holiday Starbucks, Christmas music, and Christmas lights; it's the time of year when you can't help but be happy! I don't know how to even put the feeling into words, people become nicer, simple things become sweeter, and I'm perfectly content to spend my nights watching loads of Christmas movies.
One of my favorite things to do at Christmas is gift wrapping. I love being the one to wrap everyones gifts; I often refer to myself as "The Gifter".

In honor of my love for gift wrapping I've decided to blog about my Christmas Wish List {Top 10 Picks}, just in case Santa didn't receive my letter or needs a few more ideas.

The Lani Approved Christmas List:
1. Kate Spade Purse

2. Kate Spade Wallet 

3. Bow Gloves

4. Eyelash Eyemask {So I can dream of being Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffanys} 

       {{Side note this item is currently sold out on Kate Spade's site & I can't find it anywhere! So if you happen to know where I can get it, I'll love you forevaaaaa. K thanks.}}

5. Black Nikes

6. LL Bean Barn Coat

7. Republican Tervis

8. Southern Shirt Sweatshirt & Pullover

 

9. 41: A Portrait of My Father by George W. Bush {Because I love 41 & 43}

 10. 6'-10' iPhone Cord 

Merry Christmas y'all!

His name will be the hope of all the world. // Matthew 12:21

xoxo, L