Madison Square Park

Thanks for all your sweet comments on last week’s NY photos (here and here).  It’s been so fun to look back at these after the holidays, and it sure does make me miss both NY and the holiday season.

This is more appropriate NYC attire for when I was visiting, sweatshirt and fur vest – no jacket. Bringing out some pink for a pop of fun and using that beanie I’ve had since junior high.  This is why I can’t seem to get rid of anything – everything old is new again.  I was forced to purge when we downsized from our Mississippi lives to our California lives and I have seriously had moments where I’ve thought, “where is that ____….aaahh!! I tossed it in the purge!!”  Tragic.

photos by Mom 

denim – Tractr (c/o) | sweatshirt – Forever21 | vest – Rachel Zoe (old), similar picks below | boots – Wanted | gloves – gifted, similar picks below | necklace – Etsy | beanie – Lacoste (old), similar here | lipstick – Urban Decay Anarchy 

 

Last but of course not least, the winner of the Stella & Dot giveaway is…

Elisabeth Good!

Thank you so much for reading and participating! XO –

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Friday’s Five

– lunch at Villa Blanca –

– and now having my Ramona Singer Pinot Grigio and Villa Blanca Pinot Noir –

mulholland drive

– overlooking Los Angeles at dusk from Mulholland Drive –

– bringing back out my leopard jelly loafers (similar here) –

 

– this adorable illustration by the talented Meshka Design who had now started her custom illustrations shop, gooseprint.  Adorable and affordable portraits, y’all check it out! –


TGIF.  I heard on the news that Monday, January 6th was the the most depressing day of the year because most people were back at work.  How sad is that?  I’m always happy to welcome the weekend and here we are.  Last weekend we had so much fun in Los Angeles, hence all the photos today!  

This time we plan to lay low and knock some things off the to-do list.  I want to get ahead before I head to Chicago next week.  What are you up to this weekend?  Getting back to reality with a new year house cleaning or were you smart and got that handled earlier!?

Thanks so much for reading and don’t forget that there are a few more days to win the Stella & Dot giveaway!  Have a beautiful weekend – XO –

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Christmas in NYC, Part II

Christmas in the city, part II!  More photos from my visit to New York and taking in all the beautiful Christmas decorations.  The only other city I would love to see at Christmas is Paris…can you even imagine?

Looking back at these photos has me even more sad that Christmas is already over…and so is this trip! I always look forward it to for months ahead of time.   One of these days Christian is going to take me. First he will be able to choose his vacation time, and THEN we’ll go!

The farmer’s market at Union Square –

A doll ornament that looked just like my niece, Harper.

A true carb-o-holic, I eat one of these truffle cheddar pretzels every year!

Walking around the wonderland of ABC Carpet & Home.  An absolutely magical store –

Running into reader Danielle in Bryant Park.  Such a sweet girl from DC who is heading to Miami for a new job!  It absolutely made my night to visit with her and I am so thankful she stopped me!! Wishing you the best of luck with your move – I know Miami will be amazing!!

More photos of Max Brenner hot chocolate.  Life changing.  I bought some to bring home to Christian, my chocoholic.

A stop by the New York Public Library, and thinking of Carrie on her wedding day –

Seeing dozens of fans camping out on the streets outside of the SNL studios hoping for standby tickets for the Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake 12/21 show (my favorite skit).

And that’s a wrap.  I love this city!  Thanks so much for reading and don’t forget to enter the Stella & Dot giveaway! XO –

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Christmas in NYC, Part I

Finally!!  Some photos from my recent trip to New York.  This year was a different kind of Christmas in the city for me. Usually it’s a quick flight from Mississippi and we are bundled up, drinking hot cocoa and feeling the cool breeze on my face while trying to keep up with my mittens.

This year there was a heat wave in the city following the earlier blizzard and it was actually warmer in New York than it was in California…go figure!  I had prepared for cold weather, so I was left sweating in my sweater, but it was still wonderful to be back in one of my favorite cities with my parents, admiring the beautiful Christmas decorations and really feeling the excitement of the holidays.

Below are some of the photos I snapped, Part II to come tomorrow!

We always love seeing the Christmas window displays.  Our personal favorites are always Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, Tiffany’s, Lord & Taylor and Henri Bendel.

It’s Buddy the Elf!!  I had to take this photo for Christian – he loves some Elf.

My cute parents –

 Going to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and lighting a candle for my nieces and nephew –

 As you may have seen here, we saw Kinky Boots and Pippin.  Both were great shows, but Kinky Boots was amazing.  I would love to see it again!!  Pippin had some seriously jaw-dropping acrobatics and athleticism.  Talk about killer bodies in that show.

Lunch at L’Ecole, one of our favorite spots for lunch downtown.

Our favorite Bryant Park booth – Studio Manhattan Vintage.  Every year they have a new chandelier, this spoon one was amazing!

A lot of you left comments that you were also traveling to New York for the holidays.  To those of you – what were some of your favorite things that you did?  I would love to hear!  Thanks so much for reading and don’t forget to enter the Stella & Dot giveaway!  XO –

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Cozy in Central Park

 

This leftover snow from the December blizzard in New York is a total fake out, it was really 65 degrees in the city when we visited!  I definitely wanted to find the snow just for the sake of my eyes – that lovely layer of white that I definitely don’t see in California at Christmas time.  Christian and I are planning a ski trip in February, and I can’t wait for a fireplace, hot toddy and snow!

I took a walk through Central Park with my parents and it reminded me of my college summer in New York when I would bring a book to Central Park and read on the grass for the afternoon.  How unaware I was of what a huge luxury that was!

 

 

photos by Mom

 

waxed denim – Gap | boots – Wanted (old), similar here and here | gloves – gifted, similar here and here | bag – Louis Vuitton | sweater – Necessary Clothing  | vest – Rachel Zoe, similar here | statement necklace – Etsy | xo necklace – INPink (c/o) | fur beret – vintage, similar here and here | lipstick – Urban Decay F-Bomb

 

 

A big thank you to my mom for snapping these photos!  Thanks for reading y’all and don’t forget to enter the Stella & Dot giveaway – XO –
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Stella & Dot Earring Giveaway

Y’all may have seen me wearing these beautiful Stella & Dot baubles here, here and here.  I love that they can be worn two different ways, as chandeliers and as studs.  Not to mention that I can’t get enough of royal blue right now…if Eva Longoria looks so fab in royal blue why can’t I?

Because I’m just like Eva Longoria.

Not.  She could fit in my pocket.  But only in the pocket of my post-holiday jeans…which is about all I’m fitting into right now.

I’m so excited to share that today Stella & Dot is offering a credit giveaway that you can use toward your own sparkly baubles!

MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF CARRIE BRADSHAW LIED TO ENTER

(via Google Friend Connect on right sidebar) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you so much for reading and entering!  If you have your eye on a particular S&D piece, let me know in the comments which one you’re after!  I’m always looking to shop, and jewelry always fits.  XO –

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Friday’s Five

– this too cute macaroon lip balm –

– this personalized clutch that I can’t take my hands off of and some Christmas baubles (vintage shoe clips and Ameera Noor tassel necklace) –

– said clutch and necklace paired with my Molly Jane Designs cuff, Gap coated denim, Forever21 vest and Nine West boots –

sequined mini skirt

– sequined mini skirts that are the apple of my eye –

– fresh asparagus for an (attempted) week of healthy eating –

I’m sad that the holiday weeks are over!!  I have definitely been enjoying taking these mid-week breaks, although it does make it harder to go back to work, right?  2014 is here and giving all of us a fresh start. Some things I plan to work on this year (even if it’s just in January, sssshhh don’t tell) are:

  • Be more mindful and intentional with the foods I’m putting into my body.
  • Take more time to enjoy the small things and the present and put away the electronics.
  • Spend more time outside.
  • Take a photography class.
  • Go to more wine tastings.
  • Perfect homemade granola bars for Christian.
  • Find a townhouse to move into that has a sunny spot for a lemon tree.
What are some of the things you want to work on this year?  Do share, you might inspire me to add to my list!  I hope everyone had a fun and safe New Year’s Eve and here’s to the weekend!  Thanks so much for reading – XO –
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Cheers to 2013

 

Some of my favorite moments and looks from 2013!  Cheers to one of the best years of my life and a huge thank you to all of you for being a part of this journey with me.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Happy New Year to you and yours!! Thank you so much for reading – XO –
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Sparkle this NYE

 

 

Have a fabulous (and safe) time celebrating tonight!  Tis the season to bring out your sparkle, so I’ll be in sequins sipping champagne with my honey.  Is it just me or were the best NYE celebrations in college?  Surrounded by your best friends and little responsibilities, oh the memories.

Above are some of my favorite sequined looks right now.  Lucky for us, sequins are year-round pieces.  Cheers to that!  Thanks so much for reading – XO –

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Friday’s Five

– watching ice skaters in Bryant Park –

– the most amazing, life changing, rich hot chocolate I’ve ever tasted –

– a Christmas dinner on our china…with Bailey watching VERY close by –

– blue hydrangeas –

– taking this reindeer to the beach on Christmas day –

As I write this post I have a belly full of leftovers and New Years resolutions to eat healthier and exercise more…pretty standard post-feast mindset, am I right?  We had a great week, Christian even got off of work around 10:30am on Christmas Eve so we were able to spend both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together!  This was such an unexpected treat and I was so grateful to have that time with him, making our own little traditions and memories.

The Christmas decorations have already been taken down and stored away for next year and we are back to work and reality, but that break sure was nice!  Now we have NYE to look forward to, and I’ll probably be wearing this outfit. How was your Christmas and what are you planning for NYE?  Thank you so much for reading!! I hope y’all had a very special Christmas with the ones you love – XO –

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Merry Christmas Y’all

 

Merry Christmas y’all!! I hope you have plans to spend this year’s holiday with people you love. Christian is working today and I am volunteering to serve at a local soup kitchen with a friend and will spend tomorrow with Christian, cooking our families recipes and skyping with them to see everyone’s Christmas excitement.  Our second Christmas as a married couple and we’re already starting our own traditions with our little California Christmas!  A littler earlier than I anticipated, but y’all have really helped me feel better about it with all of your sweet comments and stories of your own misplaced Christmases.  I can’t thank you enough for that!

Thank you so much for going along on this journey with us and for all of your kind words, emails, encouragement and love. This blog has brought me so much happiness and a huge part of that is getting to know all of you.  It’s so refreshing to see so many women supporting other women, and I thank you for being positive and supportive women in my life.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas to you and yours – XO –

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Friday’s Ten

sunset on the airplane

 

– packing for (and arriving to) NYC –

 

bryant park at christmas
– the city lights in Bryant Park –

 

christmas in new york
– having dinner at Rosa Mexicano with some of my best girlfriends and NY girls –

 

eggnog latte

– subway rides and eggnog lattes –

 

christmas boat tour

– a Christmas boat tour to see the decorated homes and yachts on the Newport Harbor –

apple pie shots

– trying out this apple pie shot recipe –

whole food wreath

– wreath shopping with my guy at Whole Foods –

christmas rose

– rosé to celebrate the end of some big work projects –

xo necklace

– this perfectly darling XO necklace from INPink  –

kinky boots musical

– seeing the amazing and Tony Awards Best Musical 2013 Kinky Boots (another great snippet here) –

A special Friday’s Ten since it’s so close to Christmas with so much happening this week!!  I was excited to have a short work week, heading to New York with my parents on Wednesday.   Christian had to stay home and work, and while he’s definitely missed, it is really wonderful to spend some quality time with my parents during the holiday season.  It’s so crazy to be here knowing that in January, Christian interviewed at NYU for his medical residency in ear, nose and throat.  God certainly had a plan that He revealed in His time, and I have a lot of love for Cali, but boy…this city is one of a kind.  I’ve always loved the attitude and energy of NY, even though it’s crowded.  So very crowded.  I’ve taken so many great photos that I can’t wait to share with y’all – stay tuned!

What are you doing this weekend to prep for the holidays?  I hope you have a festive weekend plan. When I get home I plan to grocery shop to prep for our Christmas meal – grape leaves, steaks, mashed potatoes, asparagus and homemade rolls with Christian’s favorite heath bar cake for dessert.  What do you typically eat with your family for Christmas?

Thanks so much for reading and don’t forget to enter the L.Mae Boutique $250 shopping spree giveaway and The Shelf $500 Zara Giveaway!! Happy weekend – XO –

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