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

In All Things, Give Thanks

Thanksgiving, a time to spend with your family, enjoying great food, and reflecting on all the things you have to be thankful for. I'm very fortunate to have all these things to look forward to at Thanksgiving, I have more blessings than I can count, a great family, and a grandma who cooks the best southern food in all of North Carolina.

Thanksgiving also has a lot of work that goes into it. Being the perfect Southern Belle and avid Southern Living reader that you are; you have everything about the holiday planned, from the perfect turkey to the perfect outfit.

While balancing being a southern lady and aspiring to be the next Blair Waldorf{the lover of all things that make Thanksgiving perfect}, you realize you aren't in fact Blair Waldorf{a ruling Queen with waitstaff at her beckon call} and you don't have your own personal Dorota to get all the decorations in place and still have time to pick out the perfect outfit before your guest arrive.

So what do you do? You turn to pinterest, to help you find every holiday inspiration you could possibly need.

The Decorations:

   Get a little crafty with an old frame, save you October pumpkins and spray paint them gold, grab some leaves, twigs, pinecones from outside, and some cornhusks left in a nearby field to make the perfect fall accents.

The Meal:

  This is easily one of the most important elements to any Thanksgiving and if we're being honest this is why you're guest are here. They've been waiting for this day all year and in preparation of the feast they haven't eaten a real meal in days. So when they sit down to your table present them with everything they've been dreaming of, a mouthwatering turkey{I prefer ham...shhh} surrounded by all their favorite fixings! {And for the first time Thanksgiving host, A Classic Southern Thanksgiving chart with all the must haves.}

And don't forget that signature blue ribbon worthy pie that will have them loosing belts just for another heavenly slice. 

The Table:
   You're table is your canvas. This is where it all goes down! Your guests will be sitting here for hours, so why not take the opportunity to impress them not only with your amazing food but your ability to set the perfect table{no plastic in sight}. So when your guests look at you in amazement and say "Your table looks beautiful! How did you have time to put all this together?", all while thinking 'How the hell did she do this? I didn't even wash my hair this morning. Does she have secret maids hidden in the kitchen or is she just trying to make me look bad? Either way, I hate her.' You can smile say "Thank you. I just threw them together this morning!" and think to yourself, 'I haven't slept in days, all in preparation for this one meal. I'm buzzed on coffee and I can't even remember if I brushed my teeth this morning. Yes, I know you hate but I honestly don't care, you better sit there and eat every bite off of my perfectly polished plates.'

And for dessert have a little fun and bring out some napkins with a humorous quote. {Even more fun if you have a Northern joining you for the occasion.}

The Outfit:

  Now that your turkey is in the oven, they table is set, and your pie is cooling by the window, you have a minute to think of yourself. Run upstairs, change out of those running shorts and that two sizes too big shirt, throw some makeup on and become presentable. Yes, you'll be eating large amounts of food and those comfy clothes are calling your name but, remember, presentation is everything. You can be comfy and fashionable at the same time! Throw on your favorite fall skirt or long cardigan and a pair of flats and you're good to go!

 

The Finishing Touch:

  To keep your guests thinking 'Just how does she do it?', put together a simple take home gift. Your guests will be floored that you put so much thought in the day and deem you the next Paula Deen after they taste their farewell goodies. Then commence to graciously bow at your feet.

Now, wave goodbye to your guests, go back inside and begin to hibernate for the next few hours because shortly you'll have to awake a begin your black friday shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

In everything always give thanks. // 1 Thessalonians 5:18

xoxo, L

Obsession: J. Crew

Like many of y'all I am and always will be obsessed with J. Crew.  Recently on a shopping trip to Smithfield, we stopped by the J. Crew outlet, and to say that letting me into this store is a bad thing, would be the understatement of the year.  As soon as I walk in the store I immediately want to start grabbing everything I can get my hands on and take it home with me!
What I love most about J.Crew is that they have a variety of preppy prints and patterns to fit any mood. Flannels, stripes, polka dots, and plaids, they have it all.  I took a few pictures to share with y'all some of my favorite finds!

1. Gray Tweed Dress & Metallic Striped Dress/Skirt:
    These adorable dresses and skirt would make the perfect addition to your fall/winter closet. The Tweed dress, while some might over look it for being plain or ordinary, when in reality it has endless possibilities. You can easily wear it with a cardigan, scarf, and boots to make multiple styles. The Metallic dress/skirt are definitely my favorite, because duh they're sparkly and who doesn't love that? Which makes them the exact kind of dress you that you want to be wearing at Christmas and New Years parties!

2. Statement Necklaces:

    J. Crew has some of THE BEST jewelry! SO SO SO much to choose from, but the worst part about their jewelry is having to pick and choose your favorite pieces because obviously you can't have it all. Their bold statement necklaces are to die for and can be paired with anything from your favorite plaids, denims, and prints to give you that extra something that every outfit needs.

3. Camp Socks:

   These socks are probably by far my favorite thing that J. Crew has to offer. Not only are they oh so comfy and cozy they're your Bean Boots best friend. I walked away with four different pairs because I love them and I obviously have no self-control. But if you rock Bean Boots and don't already have Camp Socks you really need to invest in some!

"I like my money right where I can see it... hanging in my closet." 

                                -Sarah Jessica Parker; Carrie Bradshaw, Sex In The City

xoxo, L

J. Crew     Carolina Outlet