Happy New Year...almost!

I love y'all and thank you for being a part of what made 2013 so great. I look forward to seeing what 2014 brings...! 

Now time to prep for our at-home NYE party!!! I can't wait to decorate...and to wear this sparkly number [from Vestique in Charlotte]. Pairing it with some leather leggings and heels...woopwoop!

If you want sneak peeks of our little party and decor, just follow me on Insta!

I'll leave you with one gem of a teaser...our Paperless Post invitation! It's gonna be a great one!

Cheers! See y'all in 2014!

Now go visit my lovely sponsor, Khala!

 

Will you join me? [Wife After God Devotional]

Hi again loves!

I just wanted to let y'all know about a devotional I am going to begin reading on January 1st. Will you join me? I would love to chat and be in community will y'all as we read!

The book is called Wife After God: Drawing Closer to God & Your Husband.

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You can read more info about the book here.

You can buy the book here.
I'll write a review of the book at the conclusion of the month.

To God be the glory!!

I look forward to growing in Christ with you in 2014!  

Now go visit my lovely sponsor, Khala!

Year of Travel...concluded.

When I started this blog about a year ago, Mark and I decided that 2013 would be our "year of travel." It was even one of our New Year's resolutions!

Well, 2013 did not disappoint. We are so thankful to have traveled to so many places. We couldn't have done it without our mission trip donations, families, and crazy frugal spending habits that allowed us buy plane tickets across the pond (and a spontaneous discounted special on a cruise!)!

We aren't big spenders on things, but when it comes to travel...we believe it's worth the splurge for the experience!!

Here is our year...chronologically, of course!

 From left to right...

[Row 1]

Orlando, FL with our English family // San Francisco, CA // Napa and Sonoma, CA //

Nashville, TN // Bujumbura, Burundi

[Row 2]

Nassau, Bahamas with my Dad and family //Barton-under-Needwood, England [Mark's hometown] // Messina, Sicily // Athens, Greece // Kushadasi and Ephesus, Turkey

[Row 3]

Chania, Crete // Rome, Italy // Lincoln, England // Tissington, England // Dovedale, England

I love traveling.

I love seeing Him in all things.

His creation.

His people. 

His wonders.
His love.

Read more about that in a post I wrote here in my 31 Days series about being intentional.
 

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I am so grateful for our travels...for our 2013...for every single day we've been given!! Praise Him!

Now go visit my lovely sponsor, Khala!

 

Faithful friends who are dear to us...

...Gather near to us once more!!!

Too cheesy?! I don't care! [I love it!]

Since leaving my hometown and heading back to Wilmy, I have so enjoyed prepping the house for our guests (and dearest friends) who arrive today and tomorrow. The holidays are still going strong at the Houston home, and I couldn't love it more!!!

Take a look at the little tid-bits I've collected and displayed as we host 2 other couples for the next few days...

 Guest room bedside table tray essentials:

coaster, [faux] flowers, and some Christmas chocolates

 And some chocolates for the spouse on the other side of the bed too!

 I hung a new Cheers Y'all [The Shop] piece under my bff Lizzie's window art.

I thought "you are so loved" was the perfect work to hang in our guest room! 

We love our friends!!!

 Instead of treats, the snowman is holding festive holiday glasses and cups and some golden chocolate coins, of course!

I prepped our coffee and tea station and made sure we had some hot chocloate and marshmallows in the house too. 

(Though I'm sure with two Englishmen in the house, at least 6 cups of tea a day will be consumed...)

My mom gave me some munchies for the Ho Ho Ho basket! 

And I found that "Biscuits" jar from Target to replace the other one that Marky broke while eating the said biscuits. :)

 

Not pictured are things like gifts under the tree (not taking it down just yet!!), beer and wine, and the pantry stocked with dinner items for the next few nights! Oh! And clean towels ready for our guests too!

Is there anything I'm forgetting?! What are special things you do when you host friends/family in your home?!

   Now go visit my lovely sponsor, Khala!

My Favorite Christmas Gift

Today I wanted to share one of my favorite Christmas gifts with you!

If you've been a Cheers Y'all reader for the last little bit, you might remember reading about my #1 gift here from the These Are a Few of my Favorite Things linkup with Jen!

Well, my mom and my hubs read that it was the number 1 gift on my list, so they both ordered it. And then they chatted and realized what they did. Luckily, the hubby canceled his order before it shipped. ;)

ANYWAY! Here is my favey fave gift up and running in our home!! 

Do you see the yummy mist coming out of it?!

Y'all. This thing is awesome. Humidifier, air purifier, atomizer, and aromatherapy diffuser ALL IN ONE. (!!!)

And if you don't like the look, you can just set it on the floor behind the table. But I have it on our table right now because I'm sitting next to it as I type! ...Smelling soooo good!

All you need is a bit of water and some 8-12 drops of the essential oil of your choice. Since I'm still relishing in Christmas goodness and sitting by the lit up tree, I put 10 drops of peppermint in. The diffuser has been running for well over an hour and the scent is still going strong. I'm in love! I can't wait for Marky to get home from work and see (and smell) it in action!

Here is the other component to the gift. Pure essential oil goodness! I cannot wait to try all of them in our diffuser. I even put a little bit of lavender on my wrists when I opened the box...because why not!? I love, love, love essential oils! 

If you're interested in either of these, you can find them here and here.  

(This is not a sponsored post, I literally am just obsessed with this right now and must share with you (duh!)!!)

Keep this gift idea in your back pocket for birthdays, fighting winter colds, proactively keeping clean and natural home, or a just because splurge. It's definitely worth your while and chemical free! :)

P.S. THANK YOU, MOMMY!!!!!! 

Steal the Deal (BCBG Sweater) + Girls Day

Okay, lovelies. Sorry for the stinky quality pic. BUT I just have to share about this deal before it's gone! Mom and I found the sweater I'm wearing in the pic below on MAJOR sale for $23.80 by BCBG at Dillard's! It's awesome. 

For the life of me, I cannot find it anywhere online. 

We snagged two of them! My Mimi got one too!! She is a stylin' grandma. I wore mine for the rest of our girls day and had the sweet sales attendant at Dillard's cut the tags off so I could walk away wearing it. I tried to get Mimi to match me, but she wouldn't. ;)

You might've seen the preview I posted on Insta last night...!

 Mama and me -- Spy an elf in the background!? 

That pup get-up is 50% off at Target right now!! 

Pair with a cute statement necklace, leggings, and boots...and you're set!! Cute AND comfy!

Oh...and here we are on our girls' day before making that awesome sale purchase. I had so much fun with these two! Though our Christmas was smaller in numbers and different this year, I can't say I didn't soak up every minute of special quality time with my mommy and grandparents.

 

 That's Mimi's marg. Is she the coolest and prettiest Mimimama or what?! 

Mom and I got toddies too. Mojito for me and Corona Light for Ma!

We had a lovely lunch at Chuy's in South Park because we were too hungry to wait for an hour for Cowfish...even though it was our first choice!

Hope y'all had ever so lovely Christmases with your families!!! I can't wait to hear about them!

NYE Party Brainstorming [Pop Fizz Link-Up]

 Linking up with Khala and Samantha again today to share NYE party ideas!
 

I am racking my mind for fun, inexpensive, yet SIMPLE party ideas since Mark and I will be hosting some folks at our house for the night! [YAY!!!]

Here are the ideas I have so far thanks to Pinterest!...

 Wrap a canvas in gold and decorate!! Pretty and easy backdrop.

(And I have a big canvas laying around...no cost for that. Woop!)

 Make some big 2014 letters?! 

And have a good bar setup.
Perhaps I'll make some gold polka dot garland?! Maybe...!

Definitely will make a new garland for the mantel. 

I'm thinking it's going to have to say CHEERS! ;)

Also on the list...

Wearables. Hats, glasses, and other goodies for sure!

Champagne for midnight!

And nailing down a signature drink for the night?! What's a good signature cocktail for NYE?

Merry Christmas!

He came in the most humble of beginnings.
A king.

A Savior of the world.

JESUS. 

Part of God's perfect plan.

For our good.
His Son.

His sacrifice.
Our salvation.

An indescribable gift.

 

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Celebrate along with me today!

 

 

Go tell it on the mountain...

Jesus Christ is born!!!! 

 

 

Hallelujah!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!  To you and yours! Love y'all!!!

Christmas Card 2013

Christmas is just around the corner, so from our family to yours...

Front                                                                                     Back

Created with Zazzle

Carrying on my mama's tradition of framing cards through the years!
Thank you, Dollar Tree, for those lovely $1 golden frames!!

You can find our 2012 Christmas Card here.

Merry Christmas!!!! I pray that you may know the joy and peace of Jesus Christ in your heart this season and forevermore! 

5 on Friday

Cheers to the lovely lady creators of this 5 on Friday link-up (hiii Darci, April, Christina, and Natasha!)!!

REDESIGN

First things first...the new, fancy, more put together design debuted here a couple nights ago. Y'all, I am obsessed!!!! Aimee of Dear Harper is one talented, sweet, loving, caring, patient, persistent, consistent, fabulous lady! If you're thinking redesign, she is your girl! I'm tellin' ya!!!

Elizabeth Scott Photography

CHEERS to a new look for the new year! 

SHE READS TRUTH

I am loving the She Reads Truth advent. This week has blown me out of the water...the Holy Spirit is stirring in me and convicting me for sure!!! Glory to God! This was my favorite...just insert your name. :)

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Wanna join in or read some of these devotions? Check them out here!
Days 17 and 18 were my favorites from this week. :)

GIRLY STARBUCKS DATES

So when you move to a new city and don't know anyone...the making friends process is a little slow. :) But this week I met precious Heather from Port City Prescription, and I couldn't love her more! Thank you, Jesus! How sweet it is to connect with another sister in Christ who I feel like I've known for years!!! 

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DECEMBER BEACH TIME

The little video I posted on Instagram melts me. I am so, so, so very thankful for my little bitty family. The beach in winter is climbing the charts to being one of my favorite things...especially with the unseasonal forecaset of 79 degrees this Sunday!! (!!!!)

POP FIZZ LINK-UP 

I had so much fun linking up with Khala and Sam yesterday! Polyvore is my new BFF. I had way too much fun making outfits. :) Can't wait to link up with them next Thursday too for NYE party ideas and decor! Join us!!! I'm most likely hosting a little get together at our place to ring in the New Year, so I need your help! All the ideas I can get!

Read yesterday's post here!

Happy weekend, everyone! Christmas is just around the corner...merry, merry!!! 

NYE Outfits [Pop Fizz Link-Up!]

2014 is just around the corner, 

and I am soooo excited to link up with Khala and Samantha today! 

Cheers, honeybuns!!

NYE makes me think of sequins, glitter, and more sequins and glitter. So...let's talk outfits!!

Though I won't be purchasing any of these items (Let's be real, I'll just wear what I already have. I'm Frugal McShmougal over here.)...I sure did have the best time making these pary-tay outfits online. I will definitely use these outfits as inspiration!! Woohoo!

(P.S. How have I never used Polyvore to create outfits like this until now?!!? Holy cow that was fun!)

Going Out?

Dress / Tights / Shoes / Necklace / Bangles / Teardrop Studs

Staying In!

Leopard Cardi / V Neck Tee / Faux Leather Leggings / Fringe Boots / 
Gold Statement Ring / Green Studs / Statement Necklace

Here's the thing about NYE. It's sometimes an overrated holiday. You can "pump it up" so much in your head that it winds up being disappointing. BUT! I know the perfect remedy to avoid this letdown: be around great friends!

With that said, I couldn't help but take a little stroll down memory lane to NYEs past. Without further ado..!

NYE 2012

Mount Airy, NC

As you know, Mayberry holds a very special place in my heart! 

Of course we had the best NYE ever there so many of our favorite people.

(Fun side note: Mark called me "magician" all night because of my sequined jacket...ha!!)

NYE 2011

Charlotte, NC

Flyin' solo by the Tar Heel tree (Go Heels!) while my fiance was in England sorting out some fun visa stuff. :) 

NYE 2010
Barton-under-Needwood, England
NYE in Mark's hometown with great friends and local pubs. Perfection!
I brought sequins, but he told me people don't dress up as much in England...pshh.
(But seriously, Mom, I do love that sweater dress of yours I wore...;))

NYE 2010Charlotte, NCThese girls: my suitemates from freshman year of college! Love that we had a little reunion that NYE!(Hiiiii boos! I miss youuuuuu!!!!)P.S. Mark was in England and we were broken up at this point...thoooouuuggh I probably called him on Skype when I got home that night. :)

NYE 2008Charlotte, NCWe fell in love that summer...were crazy and stayed together...I visited him in England that October; he visited me back in NC that December. :) Oh, [super] long distance love! Thank you Jesus that there are no more 3-4 month time spans that we spend apart!!
------------------------------------------------------ Our little family is looking forward to making memories this NYE too!! We have no official party plans yet (if anyone knows any fun NYE stuff in Wilmington, give me a shout!) except being with two of the most fun people we know. You might've met them here. I cannot wait to see them!!! It's been too long. [And fingers crossed these bffies of ours will be joining us too! This NYE is shaping up to be one of the best!]

For now...let's savor, soak in, and be present in these last couple weeks of 2013!