New Year's Eve

First up.. Don't forget the Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale starts today!! If you missed my post yesterday (since I never blog on Sundays): Click Here

Also, can we get a hallelujah! The Bachelor is back tonight, there is no wedding planning going on and it's actually a nice guy - so excited for this season, I've picked my favorites (which always change after the first episode and are based on looks and jobs) which I'll post next week with my actual favorites. I'm ready for you Farmer Chris.

Next week we'll get back to regularly scheduled blogging, finally!! (and some fun new advancements for the new year). SO many holiday posts but I do love Christmas but this week we're finishing up 2014 and the holidays!

Another blogging resolution is to take less, but better photos, less is more right?! These aren't quite better (I mean it was NYE) but they are less so I'm off to a good start!  I really want to start using my camera more in the new year and not just my phone.

Okay, Let's finally get to NYE, Shall we?!

We had a simple and super fun NYE, we had four of our best friends come to celebrate our first married New Year's with us - we were just missing our friend Sarah but we did FaceTime for a little so she was with us in spirit for some of the holiday. 

Derek had to go into work for a couple hours, literally a couple - I think he got home just minutes after we did but I picked up Bianca at the airport and we went straight to my favorite mexican restaurant.  I've been dying to take her there because if there's somebody that likes Mexican more than me - it's Bianca.

This trio got in some naps to be ready for midnight

 Dom and Ash got there in the afternoon and the girls got busy in the kitchen with cream cheese dips and dessert - a girls perfect food night - and trying our hardest to double a recipe and pretty much failing.   The boys were beyond excited to see each other and headed for the bar immediately. 

More on this dip next week when I share some Christmas/Break/New Year's recipes but this is Mom's FAMOUS frito dip - anyone that tries it is obsessed with it - SO GOOD - and this was my first time making it myself

We might not have been leaving the house (and were super thankful for that and to not wear shoes) but we were dressed and ready to go

 We decided on heavy appetizers for the night with everything from sweetish meatballs and chick fil a trays to the failure mac and cheese and plenty of dips, cheese, shrimp, dips, vegetables, dips.

 Cheers to celebrating a new year together, the husband loves to give toasts, loves to.

 After dinner appetizer hour we all just piled in around the bar for stories, laughs, games and a good time together 

 These guys stopped by between events to say hi to everyone and drop off Mom's famous bridesmaids bread for breakfast 

Back to the resolution - a couple nice pictures on the nice camera.  Just a couple - simple and sweet 

 These two and their bromance is the best.  The photo on the right is perfect to describe their relationship. They are obsessed with each other and more recently it's been the two of them asking to hang out and plan things more than the girls - boyfriends.

 Perks of having a low key New Year's Party at home - in pajamas before midnight!  

 Cheers to 2015 with this crazy framily

Cheersing with our "First New Year's Eve Champagne" as well as the double bottle of Champagne that Dom scooped up on a run to the liquor store with Derek

 Still literally stuffed from dinner; dessert made it's way out after midnight 

 We did a little breakfast brunch on New Year's Day morning before they all had to go back to DC - complete with "Bridesmaid Bread," a favorite from the wedding.. recipe coming later in January

Xo CHS

Lilly Pulitzer Sale

I don't usually post on weekends - let alone Sundays - I mean today is the last day of break, there's some housekeeping to be done, some relaxing to be done and the Cowboys are on in two hours. Butttttt….

The After Party Sale starts tomorrow at 8:00am - Don't be late!

This is huge. HUGE. Lilly only has two sales a year - one in January and one in August

(They also have a great sale section in their store usually but it's personal choice if you like what's there)

Spring and Summer are right around the corner; it's time to stock up!  Last year two of my favorite Lilly Tops I got on sale in January and saved them for spring break/summer activities and they were two FAVORITES all summer.

The sale starts on Monday 1/5 (tomorrow!!) at 8am..

 this is also the first day back from Christmas Break for most people and what better way to *brighten* up your day with Lill'y fabulous patterns ON SALE! Get to work early, go in a little later OR purchase your must have items right at 8am then go back on at lunch time or tomorrow night and add in more

There's plenty of time to get your shopping in; the sale doesn't end until Tuesday night at midnight so if tomorrow is a busy day catching up on being off for the past two weeks and then you can't miss the premiere of The Bachelor, then there's still time

FREE SHIPPING!!! That's why I said above to get your favorites first, SO many times at sales I take my time looking and get everything I want in my cart and I go to check out and it's all sold out already..  there is no bigger bummer than that!

Like any big great sale - their site might be moving a little slow, especially first thing, just keep trying and maybe have your laptop AND iPad out and ready

From my researching, items are final sale (for this sale - not every sale) so check your order (quickly) and check it twice (even quicker) because there's no going back or returning once you've clicked "order"

Tip: Check your tags!! Sometimes your size at Lilly depends on the product - dresses you can be smaller than shorts, different tops fit different ways, etc.  so check your shorts/shirts/dresses/peasant top sizes ahead of time

Tip: Since there are no returns - this might be a great time to stock up on summer accessories that fit regardless of size.  I mean obviously all their patterns are cute even if it wasn't exactly how you were hoping it would look, it will still be fabulous and cute

Tip: Make an account (if you don't already have one) this afternoon so you can check out quicker tomorrow and Tuesday 

*Starting at 7am tomorrow, you won't be able to log into your account until the start of the sale so do this before then*

and again.. Free Shipping!!!

For more tips from the Lilly Website…

Frequently Asked Questions: here

I will for sure be getting my Zumba on early tomorrow morning to be ready right at 8:00!

Happy Shopping!!

Xo CHS

Christmas Break Favorites

I can't believe Christmas Break is almost over! I've completely lost track of the days and am in full relaxation mode - up ahead for us this weekend is.. very little!  I've been calling it our little vacation at our own home - we've got three full days with nothing to do (and by nothing I mean a huge house clean, a big grocery shopping trip, some house errands and getting organized) and a whole lot of relaxing, eating (diets start up again big time on Monday), naps and football.

Family Calendar

We received our annual family calendar for 2015 and after three weddings which provided a ton of family events this past year, it's a great edition!  Each year every family gets a copy - and once you hit 18 and are in college, you get your own copy too so we've got ours hanging on the bulletin board going to the basement.  On New Year's Day, Mom & Steve brought over a ton of old calendars for Derek to look through and he had a blast especially looking at some unfortunate pictures of the cousins growing up.

Christmas Cards

I was worried we weren't going to get any Christmas Cards since this was our first year in the new house - but I was pleasantly surprised with what we received - Looking forward to keeping these in one of the "Christmas Boxes" for memories for years to come

Emergency Landing

On Monday just after Mom and I arrived at the office, I heard noises that literally sounded like a plane was landing on our office roof - or in our nearby land (which in case of an emergency wouldn't be too off because we work minutes away from the Philadelphia airport) I actually walked over to the window to see if I could see anything.  Later I told Mom and she had heard the same noises - I was actually right and it didn't land "on our office" but a plane had to turn around and make an emergency landing at the airport because of engine problems and that is what I heard!  Happy for all these passenger's that they landed safely back on the ground!

Read about it: Here

Surprise Run In
I was pulling out of the gas station after getting gas (you have to get it when it's warm enough to go with out a jacket right?!) and this crazy pulled in right after me.. I mean, can you see his wave?!

Christmas Break Stay

We spent a few nights at my parents house since it was Christmas Break and it was a great relaxing time.  I got to join in with my old walking group (walks are my favorite workout and now that things are quieter, I definitely want to try to join their daily walk once a week or every other week - hopefully more once summer hits)

  I also got to join my old carpool buddy because we did do one day at the office over break to finish things up for 2014

 A cold took a few of us down - mainly Mom and Derek - Tuesday night Mom made a delicious batch of homemade soup for her, Davey, Derek and I (Steve was out at a work dinner) and I think it hit the spot for everyone.  Luckily I haven't caught the cold too badly yet (I've been "Emergen-C ing like crazy) and am just tired with a bunch of sneezing.

 I was longing for the perfect nap all of break and the chicken noodle soup night I got it!  I had been out earlier in the day running errands for New Year's Eve and getting some things done but I got home before both boys and fell asleep in the little room and it was for sure my best nap in a while - I'm pretty sure I slept so long that Mom checked a few times to make sure I was okay - it was even more cozy to wake up smelling the chicken noodle soup almost done.
It always cracks me up to see how Nash sleeps - I mean how can this be comfortable but they say he sleeps like this frequently on "his bed"

Spending extra time with Nash over break has Derek and I really wanting our own little pup - we'll see what 2015 might possibly bring

 

Fashion Favorites

 I've been loving my new monogram, new necklace that santa brought - I've been waiting a while for this one since it didn't make sense to get since until my monogram changed

It was a great surprise to get home over the weekend and find a package for me!  A birthday gift from my bestie, Sam - I love plaid and scarves and can't wait to wear this one.  The card was super cute too.

 

Christmas Undoing

We had planned on taking down our Christmas decorations this weekend but we got it out of the way yesterday on New Year's Day while we watched the bowl games.  I'm sad to see them go, our house felt so homey, but now we can get back to actual decorating and I can't wait to pull all our boxes (there are quite a few) back out of storage next November!

New Year's Day

Last but not least we had a great, but low key New Year's Eve (details coming next week) and a low key New Year's Day.  We said goodbye to our friends in the morning and spent a couple hours napping and then Mom, Steve and Davey came over for Bowl Game watching and leftovers, lots of leftovers. 

 Derek is obsessed with Oregon - I don't know why - but he even bought himself an Oregon shirt and tells all to "fear the ducks."  We all found it funny when Nash on his own picked his duck out of his toy basket to play with during the game.  I am officially on the Marcus Mariotta bandwagon and will be rooting for him and Oregon in the National Championship.

 We hung up our new bar sign that santa brought us and our bar finally looks finished and we love it and hosting at it, whether it's just the two of us sitting in the bar stools or a whole group - a wonderful wedding gift that brings us much happiness

Cheers to 2015

Xo CHS

Happy New Year!!

What a blessed, special and exciting year 2014 was for us!  It truly was the year of the wedding with plenty of planning and festivities as well as the year of the new house since we thought we'd be finished building in March and didn't close until mid-July but the timing ended out being perfect!  

It was the greatest year and I don't think 2015 can top it but I'm quite okay with that!  I'm so ready for the peace and quiet that 2015 will bring - all the events last year we're so fun and we loved it all but it will be nice now to be out of the spotlight and live "normally."  

Last year was the first full year of this little ole' blog and I love having my scrapbook to remember all the "little" things from the year as well as some huge events.  I look forward to getting back to crafting and new recipes, organizational and home ideas, travel tips and even some fashion as well as still logging on to talk about personal memories!  Also, be on the look out for some more "Wedding Wednesday" posts with some of our professional photographs and planning tips.I've been waiting and waiting for "the quiet of winter" to hit and have some time to make updates around here and grow, link up with some other blogs and continue enjoying one of my "hobbies."

I got a little very caught up in all things Christmas so my December Review and  2014 Review as well as January goals will be a little belated and coming your way next week.

Up for today.. not resolutions but a couple little goals for this new year ahead - I have to slow down and adjust and remind myself what it's like to live a normal life.  Life was so hectic until September 6th with all things wedding, then honeymoon, then family weddings, Penn State Football and right into the holidays - Starting this weekend, we have stopped "planning" and ready to go with the flow.

Not many but a couple little goals for the start of the new year 

2015 Goals...

Be Home!!!

We've been talking about this one for months.  Just because you have a free weekend and CAN leave doesn't mean you HAVE to leave.  We love our little town and low key home life and want to embrace it; we've realized that it's okay to say no sometimes (we learned last year just how bad we were at saying no, always saying yes yes yes to everything and overloading ourselves) even if there's no conflict, you can't always please everyone and be at everything so this year we're working on saying "no", not planning more than a couple weeks in advance and trying our hardest not to make plans more than twice a month - it has been too overwhelming!  

Weekly Date Nights

Seriously, I said these were little goals, Ha! But we want to make sure that we for sure get a date night out each week - we we're aiming for Thursdays once we got back from the Honeymoon then got caught up, it was Derek's busy season at work, the holidays hit, etc. so whatever day it is, we both want to make sure we get in one night out together each week!  Or even one special night in, I mean it is the dead of winter now!!

Drink More Water

Six or Eight 8oz. glasses each day is a lot and I don't come near that!  I seriously have high hopes to work towards it though and do better with my water intake! 

Try New Foods

My husband has gotten me to try foods that I never thought I would!  Day by day I continue broadening my tastes and I plan to continue doing that this year ahead.  I also want to broaden my cooking and continue learning and becoming better in the kitchen

Travel

We get such happiness out of traveling and both love our travels.  2014 was filled with just one trip but it was so worth it!  I think a couple smaller getaways are in our future for this upcoming year.

Finish Up the House

We are pretty much set on the house; we accomplished SO much this past year.  We have just a couple little things left to do like finish getting things hung on our walls, working on the bathrooms (we skipped having them painted until we had more time), getting porch/lower porch furniture in the spring, a couple more decor pieces and up first.. setting up the office.  We purposely put these tasks off until the new year because we wanted to take our time and do them just how the two of us wanted and not do them just so they could be "done."

Giving Back

I had so much fun picking out items that the food bank really needed in December and Derek and I were really touched and affected when we dropped them off and saw how many people were in need and grateful to be receiving them.  Mom even made a donation in our names as one of our Christmas presents which was so sweet!  We also really got into just doing nice deeds in general and I want to make this a routine thing and continue donating and doing some other nice deeds throughout the year.

Brunching 

We've been talking about getting into "brunches" for months now - especially after church on Sundays.   There are a ton of brunch places in the area we've been wanting to try out and maybe one every month or every other month we can and make it a new "thing" for us

Do It, Don't Say It

It's so easy to just say you want to do something as opposed to actually doing it.  I feel like there's a ton of things (I actually have a "I'll do it in 2015" list) that I've been wanting to do and waiting for down time - we'll now is the time!  Possibly a couple new hobbies as well.

and on the blog front… Find a Couple New Blogs 

I have a list of about 10-15 blogs I've randomly stumbled upon and gotten hooked onto.  With linkups and more searching, I'm hoping to find a couple more to add to my list.  It's fun mindless reading and you can really learn from other people and find great new ideas on anything and everything.

Like I said these are just small little things nothing huge but I'm looking forward to doing these little things in the year ahead

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy and exciting new year ahead!

Xo CHS