A dress to ring in 2014

You all know the outfits we look to when shopping for something festive to ring in the New Year... the more glitz the better and a pop of color never hurts! This year Henry and I are having a cozy steak dinner at home and popping open one of the bottles of champagne my dad gave us at our wedding. I must admit we started this tradition last year and loved it. We are not really late night people these days so we are keeping it low-key. But I do miss the outfit. So if I were going out on the town I would be rocking any of these fab options.

I am in love with this ASOS dress and it is on sale right now. It might need to come home with me

Metallic is always a good decision. 

This lace number might be perfect actually for some Spring weddings.

PINK enough said! 

Gramery dress  from Anthropologie is everything! 

2013 { The year in photos }

It's the last Monday of 2013 y'all! I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by. It was the year I got married, became Catholic, the year some of my best friends got married, the year I turned 28, so many great things. I have had several days off work and I have taken the time to really get prepared for 2014. I love this time of year.... when you still have hope that you will fulfill those resolutions. I have finished long forgotten tasks, started my resolutions, cleaned out closets, and decided I would show you some of my favorites from each month of 2013! 

 

January 2013

rode on my first Mardi Gras float





celebrated our fur babies 2nd Birthday ( can't believe he is about to be 3!)



February 2013

Had a great time at Mardi Gras ( finally fit back into my formal dress from my senior year of high school.. big day guys)

 

March 2013

Started our spring Wedding circuit with a great friends wedding - March was also the month I colored my hair way way too dark



Had our first engagement party in my hometown

We were confirmed into the Catholic church

April 2013

Had another fabulous engagement party in Birmingham and a Bridal luncheon in Athens

May 2013

My bestie Mary Elizabeth got married!!!! 



My best friend and I had the most amazing joint Bachelorette weekend! 

June 2013

We got married!!!! 



Went on our honeymoon to beautiful St. Lucia

July 2013



Was Matron of honor at my best friend Darcy's wedding

August/September 2013 - I call these the months where we finally slowed down after the craziest summer of our lives. I literally have like 3 pictures



Henry coaching Freshman football 

October 2013



Took Charlie to his first outing with other dogs.. he was super excited!

November 2013



Our first Thanksgiving married!

December 2013 - the out-takes



Amazing trip to Virginia with the Beard fam jam



Great first Christmas married!

Just going through these pictures makes me realize just how much we have done in a year! It was a crazy and great one guys! 

What I got for Christmas

Happy Sunday friends! I hope everyone had a great Christmas break! I have thoroughly enjoyed mine. It was so wonderful and relaxing! I love when people do what I got for Christmas posts so I thought I would do one. I thought I would put it out there because those are usually some of my favorite posts that other people do.My mom and I have not done our gift exchange yet because I didn't get to see her this year on Christmas, but my gifts are one their way to me so I will let y'all know about them later :)

My Christmas Gifts

My two biggest gifts this year came from my family and Henry. I recieved my Rebecca Minkoff mini M.A.C bag  and my Original tall Hunter boots. I am obsessed with both. I ordered a smaller pouch wallet to go in my mini MAC because it is so small and I have to downsize everything that I carry in it.

I bought myself the Henri Bendel weekender during the black Friday sales. I was in serious need of a new bathroom travel bag.

My in-laws got me some new curlers that I was in desperate need of plus not pictured a tea-kettle and a GPS for me and Henry.

My Dad and Suzanne gave me this Tokyo milk fragrance that smells like cake... AMAZING from her store and a fab gold link bracelet that I really wanted from her store as well. Also not pictured I got two pairs of gorgeous earrings from them as well. If you live in north Alabama you should really check it out. It is called the Golden Griffin in Huntsville.

Other favorites:

Silpat non-stick mat - Henry gave me this and I love it. It was on our registry and I have wanted it for awhile.

The Smitten Kitchen cook-book- Henry also gave me this cookbook that I have wanted for a long time too. It was even on my Christmas list last year.

Gone Girl and Divergent have been on my booklist and I was so thrilled to recieve them. I am finishing Gone Girl today and it has been so so good. Definitely a page-turner.

MAC eye- makeup remover - I have wanted to try this eye-makeup remover and was so glad to get it. My last eve-makeup remover was TERRIBLE. This is so smooth and takes off my makeup so easily. Might be worth it to spend a little extra!

Also not pictured my brother and his girlfriend got me a Scentsy wall plug-in and two new scents. I told y'all how much I love my warmer so I was thrilled to get the plug-in.

Five things I am currently loving { Christmas 2013 }

Happy Friday Friends! I am heading out to do a little after Christmas shopping today. Hoping I will score some good deals! Hope everyone has a great weekend! I know I talked about a giveaway a few weeks back and I am actually going to do one with a great item either tomorrow or Monday I will have all the details up! Happy weekend y'all!!

Loving my nordstrom scarf my cousin Jenny gave me for Christmas

Christmas eve gumbo is a new tradition that is delicious! 

Wassail! Still loving it and it makes the season so cheery!

Happy first Christmas married with my husband.

Our festive mugs that santa brought us.

If you follow me on instagram ( Graciebjohnston ) you may have already seen some of these

Today is a day for pjs

I always get a little sad the day after Christmas. I just don't want the magic of the season to end. I am clinging for a few more days while I enjoy some books and tv on my couch in my pjs. Then I will kick my bootie into high gear to bring in the new year. I like to do a good deep clean, get organized, and make my resolutions. This is very type A of me and it makes me feel so ready to bring on 2014. But today y'all is a day for pjs.

Merry and Bright

It's Christmas Eve y'all! I can't believe it is almost Christmas. I am going to spend the next few days enjoying family and savoring this magical time. We are going to church with my in-laws tonight and then going to midnight mass as our new married tradition. We are waking up to my breakfast casserole ( one of my families traditions) then heading back to my in-laws for gift exchange. I love combining all of our traditions together and adding new ones to make our own. I truly love the magic that this season brings.  Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays! Merry Christmas!

Weekend Update { Christmas Eve Eve edition}

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care and I was running around with no time to spare :) I can't believe that Christmas eve is tomorrow y'all! This little elf spent most of the weekend baking and wrapping.  We did have an amazing dinner at Union downtown on Friday night with some friends to celebrate Christmas. Their whipped potatoes and filet were AMAZING! If you live in Mobile you should definitely check them out. I have two gifts to get and this girl will be ready to relax and enjoy the season. I am so excited for our first married Christmas!

An OOTD from our Saturday shopping outing.

{Top: Jcrew old loving this version, jeans F21, booties Old Navy, bag Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC bag}

 My cheese straws were a labor of love but were so tasty!

Rainy Sunday shopping OOTD

{sweater J.Crew, jacket Northface, leggings Zara similar here, booties Old Navy}

Made chex mix on Sunday and it is good y'all. There are seriously too many snacks happening around here! 

I finally got everything wrapped and under my tree. It is so cozy with all the gifts under it!

 Enjoying my Christmas cards so much this year! Love seeing what everyone sends!

Happy Monday friends! I am working tomorrow morning and I am out the rest of the week! So pumped! Tis the season!

Happy Friday

Enjoying the Christmas lights at Bellingrath gardens this week

Happy Friday friends! I can't believe that we are only 5 days away from Christmas! I hope everyone had a wonderful week. We have been so busy, but managed to squeeze in a trip to see the lights at Bellingrath gardens on Tuesday. If you live in Mobile they are definitely worth a trip! Really puts you in the spirit. We are going to dinner tonight with some friends for a little Christmas gathering and then we are spending the rest of the weekend last minute shopping and wrapping gifts. I am so excited about spending our first Christmas married at home and just enjoying the season! 

Happy Weekend,

These are a few of my favorite things..

In the spirit of the season I thought I would share with y'all a few of my favorite things that are currently on high rotation in my life. Plus I am still obsessed with the sound of music right now so I will include that as #1

Old Naxy suede bootie - These are such great quality for the price. I have them in black/brown and highly recommend them! 

All Elle Fowler videos. I love all her tutorials and haul videos so fun! 

Covergirl lip perfection jumbo in berry twist - On high rotation for the fall/winter and it goes on so smoothly. I usually mix with a little bit of my chap stick. 

Clear mugs  -  I found this cheaper version of my clear mug that I wanted from Williams-Sonoma at walmart and I am loving my coffee/tea in them. They feel just a little more fancy! 

I am loving my Leaves candle from bath and body. It is the perfect scent for this season. A great mix of cinnamon and outdoor woodsy.. if that makes any sense. 

Rosebud salve- I know I have talked about this a few times before but it has been such a lifesaver with this cold weather. I put it all over my lips and cuticles at night. It is amazing go get ya some for serious! 

Currently Reading: Gone Girl + your daily dose of random

Go and get it ASAP! I can't put this book down. I know I am behind on this bandwagon, but I have finally had a little free time recently to catch up on my book list. I plan on finishing this juicy read over my Christmas vacay and I am also hoping to read this one as well! 

On another rando note... I really miss THE OC. It was so good y'all.... awe Seth Cohen! 

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