White Christmas Photo Diary + NYE Resolutions

big-bear-snow

I wanted to share some of the photos from our Christmas in the mountains with our California family. Last year Christian took me to Mammoth to ski and have our first white Christmas, and it was not overrated. It was magical! This year he found out he had an extra day off for the holiday weekend, so we thought it would be so much fun to go back to the mountains in hope of another beautiful, snowy Christmas.

We picked out a big cabin to fit both our family and my brother’s family (and our three pets!), and it was one of our most memorable Christmases yet.  The snow began to fall during our drive up the mountain and continued to pour down all day on Saturday.  On Christmas morning, we woke up a winter wonderland, and the entire weekend we received over 20 inches of snow. So much more than these Mississippians could have asked for!  It was our first Christmas without our niece, Edie, and I like to think the snow was her gift to us while she celebrated the real deal – the birthday party for Jesus in heaven.

I wanted to share some photos of the weekend along with some 2017 resolutions. I know, I know, they’re a little cliché, but I think set goals is always a great initiative to buckle down, focus on the big picture and stay motivated.

the barnes familybig bear califiorniacolorblock scarf

denim | sweater | scarf | similar hat here and here | boots

christmas pajamascarrie bradshaw lied christmas cardyellow lab in the snow

boots | pajamas – sold out, similar here (33% off) and here – only $25 | similar scarf here, here and here | similar hat here

little boy in the snowwhite christmaschristmas card in the snowfamily photo in christmas pjslittle boy in the snowbig bear californiabig bear village

sweater available here and here | denim | boots | similar scarf here, here and here | similar hat here

kathleen barnesbig bear mountain winterbig bear snow cabin

coat – Coalition LA, similar jacket here and here (33% off) | denim – under $30 | sweater (50% off) | boots | similar hat here | similar scarf here and here

fur hooded jacket green puffer jacket

similar jacket here and here (33% off) | similar sweater here and here | pants | boots

 

Some of my 2017 goals – 

Take a wifi-free trip with Christian.  Because I work for myself and Christian is so supportive, we tend to snap photos on every trip or getaway we take. This year I really want to unplug for a trip with him to give him my undivided attention.

Weekly date nights.  In college we were so good about taking regular dates, but with our extremely different schedules we’ve slacked off the past year or so. Once a week I want to have a date – it can even be in our dining room! Just some cell-phone free time to talk about goals, life and always – the trips we are planning.

Read more books. I’ve always loved to read. I was the girl in elementary school who was favored by the librarian because I actually visited it regularly to pick up a new book to read for fun. I just started Present Over Perfect and was given this book and this book for Christmas that I can’t wait to read.

Eat your vegetables.  I shared in this Instagram that I’ve been working on cleaning up my eating habits, and I really want to reach for vegetables first.  I’ve been loving cucumbers and hummus, broccoli rice (this recipe is a weekly go-to) and green smoothies this past month, and I really want to try to keep it up. With each year I get older (and my metabolism gets slower), it’s becoming more important to me to find nutrients and vitamins in the food I choose to eat. My weight has fluctuated within a 10 lb. range for the past 7 or so years (yes… I’ve had readers wonder if I was pregnant from time to time. Nope! Just a taco baby), and I want to be more consistent with my eating choices.

Think outside the box. In this blogging world, it’s easy to feel like everyone is doing the same thing – taking the same trips, wearing the same clothes, styling the same looks, etc. I really want to try to think outside the box and challenge myself to create more unique, personalized content that is both interesting and exciting for all of us!

Exercise more from home.  In college I would do Pilates DVD’s from my bedroom several times a week (call it homework procrastination – this video was my jam). I take a Pilates class twice a week currently, but I want to get back into working out from home – even if it’s just a quick 30 minutes. Christian got a stationary bike for Christmas – so perhaps that will be some motivation!

Do you have any of your own resolutions? I’d love to hear! I like to write these down in the beginning of my new annual planner so I can flip back to read them from time to time.

Thanks so much for reading – and here’s to your best year yet! XO –

23 Comments|See Comments

23 thoughts on “White Christmas Photo Diary + NYE Resolutions”

  1. Looks like you had a great time! These photos are truly awesome! We did a week in Brazil for the Holiday and I’m finding it extremely hard to narrow down which ‘few’ photos to post. I would also love to have a snow-filled Holiday one year. Wherever yall were looks laid-back yet spectacular!

    http://www.keepingupwithcandy.com

  4. Um first of all…could you guys BE any cuter? Nope. Also totally digging your “eat more veggies” and a no wi-fi trip with bae. I’m the exact same way on both fronts and sorta glad I’m not alone.

    Cheers to a new year and wishing you all the best in 2017!

    xx,
    Lauren
    FashionablyLo

  6. Love your wintery photos, you’ve inspired me to try a Holiday trip to be immersed in snow for the holidays! Hope I can make it work, but a new goal none the less. Thanks for always being genuine and gorgeous (I’ve never thought you looked prego in your photos)!

    1. Aww I love that. Thank you so much for all the sweetness – and hey, I always appreciate honesty!

  8. Happy New Year Kathleen! I’ve never actually seen snow before (I live in Pensacola so we hardly even get leaves to change, ha.) so I’m super jealous of your winter wonderland! I love the idea of having more date nights. My boyfriend and I are so busy that we sometimes forget that we need to make time for us….and I think a wifi free date night would be perfect! Ditch the phones and live on the wild side! Here’s to a happy new year!

    xo!
    Taylor | http://www.styleiseverythingblog.com

    1. Gf – you’ve got to come visit and take a ski trip! And yessss to date nights! Life gets so busy, you just have to make it a priority. Sometimes we need the reminder!

  9. Happy 2017! My New Year Resolution is just to continue to strive for excellence, in my business, friends, with my kids, and most importantly in my marriage. I’ve learned this year (being a Business Owner), that the only way for me to balance my life is through God’s grace. As long as I have that I will always be right where I need to be.

  10. You seriously have the best Smile, and I love you guys in your onsies!!
    I workout from home a lot and Katie’s (love sweat fitness) youtube channels is amazing for workouts!
    Happy New Year!! XO

  14. Hello!
    I have just discovered your blog a couple days ago and I must say I love your style! You guys look so cute. I was wondering though- on your Instagram profile you state- CBL and MS transplant- what does it mean? Thanks!

    1. Welcome Anet! My blog is CarrieBradshawLied (CBL) and I’m originally from MS (Mississippi) and now live in CA (California).

  15. It looks like you had such a gorgeous Christmas! You and your brother look so much alike, and I love seeing pics of his cute kiddos!

    Also, I love reading others’ resolutions – I think it’s such an interesting way to get to know someone! Yours are all SO GOOD. I have more date nights and more vegetables on my list as well 🙂

    Jacy | lovelenore.com

    1. Aw thank you for the sweetest comment Jacy!! I totally agree about the resolutions – and yes to date nights and veggies!!!

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