an honest review of making, maintaining, and achieving your New Year's Resolutions

Good morning and welcome back! I took a quick break from the blog during last week to spend some QT (quality time) with both our families and friends. And, as a result, I have a lot of new ideas as we move into 2019 and I can't wait to start to share them all with you today.

Today's post is a wee bit long, so be sure to grab a cup of your favorite tea or coffee, cozy up with a blanket, and enjoy!

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pink velvet skirt

I can't believe the weekend is almost here! I'm looking forward to having a few days off before Christmas Eve and Christmas to relax. As part of B's "paper" anniversary gift, I gifted him a series of 12 different date cards. One for each month, this month is dinner at the Seaport (where we got married) followed by a drive around to view Christmas Lights. B is looking forward to cashing in on this date card tonight. He wanted too last night, but I wanted to wrap the final gifts that arrived in the mail last night. 

Are you a wrap as you go type of person (i.e., buy a gift, wrap the gift) or do you wait until all have been purchased and then wrap all at once? 

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To shop any of the items I am styling click on their image below! xx

Gift Guide: Want, Need, Wear & Read

What we do for gifts?

As I’ve mentioned once, twice, or many times on the blog, B and I love to plan ahead and budget. We set aside money all year long, so Christmas is a time we enjoy and not a feeling of stress. Also, for the past couple of years, we narrowed our lens for shopping to just stockings and four gifts. Stockings will always be my favorite part of Christmas, thanks mom! We also always wrap every item and take turns opening items one by one. However; since adding this new tradition, I cannot express enough how much I LOVE the four gift challenge. 

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affordable holiday outfit & why family is so important

Y'all.... I am OBSESSED.
with this outfit. 

I love everything about this look, and I had SO much fun shooting the look. I have wanted to take some really festive photos for Y'all and couldn't think of a better combo than a tulle skirt & string lights. 

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the holiday season

eeek! Y'all yesterday marked 12 days until Christmas!! I am SO excited. But for many, this is when the panic sets in. Don't worry though, I've got you covered. **December 17th is the last day to get things shipped FedEx ground by Christmas.  And for all you last really last minute shoppers stay tuned for next week's special gift guide all from Amazon (not sponsored.)

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Christmas Time in Newport

I can't believe how quickly the month is going! I always cherish this time leading up to Christmas because it's so magical. My mom always made the holidays so special and shared that love and joy with me. It reminds me so much of The Polar Express  "Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see."

I genuinely believe the holidays are what you make of it. It's so easy to get wrapped up in the gifts and cost of it all, that I try to take a step back and spend an evening or two wrapped up in blankets with a cup of hot cocoa, watching Christmas movies by the tree. B and I are also really into budgeting so we plan ahead for Christmas by saving all year long (game. changer.) to avoid feeling stressed about finances! 

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Gift Guide for EVERYONE on your list (2018)

SO many of you responded on Instagram with such great requests for upcoming posts! Y'all wanted gift guides for family members, cool younger brothers, your mom, hostess and more. Since 78% on Instagram are still shopping, and to hopefully help y'all shop efficiently, I've rounded up two of my best gift guides to fit all your shopping needs!

If you love something, please support the blog, by clicking on the pink title or the image in the collage! I make a small profit by using affiliate links. These contributions help make the blog possible. Plus it lets me know what y'all love and buy so I can share more of what you want!

Thank you for all your support! 

Christmas Tree Farm

"Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree..." There is something so magical about going to a tree farm, finding the perfect tree, and bringing it home. In order to get the best trees, you have to go early. Every year the day after Thanksgiving we head to the tree farm for when they open to "tag" our family tree. Since B and I were never allowed to have a real Christmas tree in our previous apartment, we decided to wait until we have our own house to start this tradition. So, for now, we just enjoy the experience of helping my parents pick their tree. And, since both my parents decided to photobomb, they both made the blog today. #surprise

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