Hope everyone had a lovely holiday with their loved ones! Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Now that I live in Atlanta, I don’t see my family as much as I’d like to. So, I look forward to the moments I can be home. We spent the holidays in Virginia and will be heading to Hilton Head on Wednesday to see my husband’s family.
- Shop the Look Above: Blouse: Shein // Pants: Banana Republic // Loafers: Aerosoles // Hat: Asos //
With Christmas just around the corner, holiday festivities are in full swing! This past weekend we attended 3 holiday parties. Friday evening I went to a white elephant gift exchange with girlfriends. Then, Saturday morning my husband and I went to an ugly Christmas sweater brunch/birthday celebration. Last, on Sunday we spent time with my coworkers. I know how stressful it can be to host parties, so I always like to bring a host/hostess gift. Every one of those parties we attended had a different vibe and group of friends, so I cater my gift based on how well I know the person hosting the event.
This past weekend my husband and I ran errands and did some Christmas shopping. I still cannot believe Christmas is in 1 week! On the weekends I live in comfy clothes. Since the weather in Atlanta is constantly changing, layering is very important. My new favorite sweatshirt is from Alternative Apparel.
The weather has turned to winter in Atlanta so I’m in full on hibernation mode. I’m not a huge fan of cold weather. Part of the reason my husband and I moved further south is because we are such babies when it comes to the cold. I don’t go outside unless I’m completely bundled, or else I’ll likely complain and annoy my poor husband.
So, the Monday after Thanksgiving, is a little depressing. I just spent the weekend with my in-laws in Hilton Head eating plenty of Turkey, mashed potatoes and pecan pie. Now I’m sitting in my office having to get back to the real world. At least we only have a couple of weeks before Christmas. Since today I feel a little bloated and depressed to be back, I’m treating myself to 5 things that will hopefully make me feel better.
Every holiday season I stress over what gifts to get my loved ones. The hardest person to shop for is my husband. He has everything he needs and if he wants something he just buys it for himself. Over the years I’ve learned what gifts he really loves and uses. Here are some holiday gift ideas for the guys in your life as well as gift ideas for your girlfriends and sisters (from some items in my closet that I love and wear daily).
One of my best friends (and bridesmaids in my wedding), Jess visited Atlanta two weekends ago. We’re both obsessed with the CW drama, ‘The Vampire Diaries‘. The Vampire Diaries takes place in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia. Mystic Falls is the real life town of Covington, Georgia, and is only 45 minutes away from Atlanta. So, I booked Jess and I tickets to tour the town of Covington and see where the Vampire Diaries films. The Vampire Diaries is in its last season (so sad) so we had to check out the tour before the last episode airs!
Last weekend my sister Alissa and I made a quick trip to Bradenton, Florida to visit our grandparents and our aunt. Alissa flew from New York City and I flew from Atlanta and we met in the Tampa airport. Our youngest sister Caylen had a wedding to attend to in New Orleans so she couldn’t make it to Bradenton with Alissa and I.
My mom came to visit Atlanta this past weekend. It was her first time visiting since my husband and I moved to Atlanta last summer. Since the weather in Atlanta was beautiful I planned outdoor activities for the weekend. On Saturday my mom and I walked around Piedmont Park and caught the end of the farmer’s market. I took my mom to the Piedmont Park pond and then to the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The Atlanta Botanical Garden is a 30 acre botanical garden located adjacent to Piedmont Park. Since my mom loves gardening, I knew she’d love visiting the gardens.
Jeremy and I were in Charlottesville this past weekend celebrating his friend, Porter’s wedding. Jeremy and Porter met their first year of Darden business school and lived together their second year. They became close friends and Porter was one of Jeremy’s groomsmen in our June wedding. Porter met Katie (his now wife) at Darden so it came full circle last weekend when they got married in Charlottesville.
Lanie and Brian’s wedding was on Saturday October 15 at the Martha’s Vineyard Sailing Camp. The Martha’s Vineyard Sailing Camp is on 15 wooded acres and sits high on a Bluff and overlooks the Lagoon Pond and outer Vineyard Haven Harbor. The view for the wedding was spectacular and something out of a romantic movie. I kept asking myself when Ryan Gosling would appear… Lanie and Brian’s wedding reception was held inside the Martha’s Vineyard Sailing Camp facility and featured timbered vaulted ceilings and a fieldstone fireplace. The entire wedding was so cozy and beautiful. Lanie really outdid herself on planning her wedding.
Last weekend I was in Martha’s Vineyard celebrating my college roommate and sorority sister, Lanie’s wedding! Lanie’s family has had a house in Oak Bluffs for generations and she has spent every one of her summers at Martha’s Vineyard. I visited her the summer after we graduated college and I fell in love with the island. Brian (her now husband) proposed while they were vacationing on the island and I was hoping she’d get marred on Martha’s Vineyard. So when I got the wedding invitation I was so pumped to spend a weekend at Martha’s Vineyard again. It takes planes, trains and automobiles to get to Martha’s Vineyard, but when you get to the island it’s completely worth it.