New Year's 2015

NYE 2015 was perfection. Sure, my sparkling apple cider wasn't as good as midnight champs, but really...who cares? What mattered most was being around wonderful friends. We celebrated at Hope and Spyros' condo. I love spending NYE in instead of out -- I love being with a smaller crowd, still dressing up, and watching the ball drop amongst favorites. Doing that is my favorite.

Here are some snippets from our cozy party in filled with lots of wonderful faces (who I neglected to really get pictures of!) and even more good food.

 Hope and I saw the pink balloons at Party City, and we just couldn't say no.

 Our little fam

NYE Tunic (worn and customized to be a dress) thanks to EShakti!

 My doghter not so slyly scoping out the food selection before our guests arrived

 We set up the bar on the balcony. This was crucial in maximizing our space and keeping the kitchen open for cooking.

We made a "photo booth" and amused ourselves with the pups using it more than ourselves.

 My brother (in law), Spryos, made a picturesque fire

 The spread

 Yes, those are bacon wraps. And chocolate chip blondies. Talk about going out with a bang.

From enchiladas to Parmesan truffle tator tots to lentil dip to stuffed mushrooms...I mean?!?!

 This was our goddaughter's first par-tay! She wore a LBD. No, really. It even said "little black dress" in rhinestones. AHH! Bless! It might've only lasted for 20 minutes, but hey, she came in making a fashion statement. :)

 Amelia and Harper finally met. It was priceless and precious. We melted. Proud parents and godparents!

Dinner came and went. Pot luck rocks. Hope and SpySpy's place was bursting (and bumpin') with 20 or so people, which was so fabulous! Sweet little Harper was surely the most popular person at the party. Rightfully so. She was seriously perfect and 100% rocked her party guest debut.

Some folks parted ways after dinner, and we enjoyed some quality time with and even smaller crowd for the last few hours of 2014. (You know what also rocked? Second dinner circa 11:30. ;))

 Games and great friends

 Cheers to 2015!

 Photo booth loves -- my bestie Ashley and her almost doc hubby, William

 More best friends :)

(Can you handle Harper because I CANNOT!!!!!!! That baby stare!! Be still my heart.)

We are so blessed with such an amazing community of friends in Charlotte! I miss them dearly on a daily basis. To say that NYE 2015 made my heart burst with joy would be an understatement. It was the perfect way to kick off the most exciting year of our lives.

Jan 1, 2015 was one for the books too. We had a lazy morning (with 0 clean up because Hope and I knocked it ALL out that night! Holler!), a Chik-Fil-A lunch, a little outside time at the Hoidals, and finally to my grandparents' farm for a that good old traditional New Year's Day southern meal.

 So many girl pups. So much cuteness.

4 bffies ;) | Doxie wanted to play the frisbee game with the boys | Sister and the sweetest burrito baby

 The gang. Can't handle the cuteness/hilarity of 4 blonde-ish girl pups and their daddies.

Thanks again to EShakti for making this preggo still feel fun and festive despite my oh-so-quickly growing tummy! I loved rocking the sequin tank (turned customized dress!). The cotton in the back made in the perfect combination of glam and comfort. P.S. If you register with EShakti today, you can get $35 off your first order (making the shirt/dress I wore around $30!)!!
 

Happy 2015!

Be sure to pop over to Lena's blog -- January's champagne sponsor! 

NYE 2014 Party Recap

I am definitely a fan of getting together with a smaller group of friends for New Year's Eve. As long as you're in good company, there is no disappointment! (And, let's be real, this homebody would rather stay in with friends than go out and about on the town any night!)

Our celebration was also smaller because our townhome has one guest bedroom and one pull-out couch. It was filled to the brim with three couples and two pups! We loved having a full house!!! :)

 Even though there was no invitation needed (the couples were staying in our home for a few nights!), I still couldn't resist this precious Paperless Post invitation! Why not? Free, online, and obviously very cute.

Set-up was easy! I didn't go overboard and designated the NYE decor to one area.

For dinner we fueled up on a spinach salad and a Houston family favorite, Trader Joe's turkey meatballs with spaghetti. [Recipe here.] It is such a simple and tasty meal to make while hosting! And we had leftover meatballs as appetizers for [much] later.  No one could imagine eating anything else until after midnight...so full.

I was too content soaking up Christmastime with my family to DIY. 

Party City had these lovely metallic numbers!

Group candid!

I kept our Christmas decor up because I always make Christmas last as long as possible.

The pups were exhausted from spending hours on the beach earlier.

They had a big day playing in the sand and water!

 Oh how I adore my MalPal!

 The Christmas card display was still going strong.

...And the boys congregated in kitchen while we had some girl time.

A jam session was the grand finale of the night.

Another highlight? 2 rounds of the game Celebrity.

Think Catchphrase meets Charades meets Password.

I've also heard that it's called "Fish Bowl."

Regardless, it's a game so good, you can't just play it once!!

Sweet friends, I hope 2014 is off to a fabulous start for you and yours!

  Now go visit my lovely sponsor, Khala!

2014 Goals

 

[1] Be generous.

God has really pricked my heart recently about being generous. I know that I am a kind person, but I feel the Holy Spirit precisely laying the word generous on my heart. Be more generous.

As it is written:

Source

[2] Be present.
This is pretty much a repeat from the 2013 goals I wrote about here. Let it be known that I am always excited for "the next thing." My husband lovingly (and necessarily) calls me out on it whenever I get ahead of myself. I need to repeat this goal as I still strive to live fully here. Now. In the present.

2013 Goals

[3] Be creative.
As a result of our decision for me not to teach when we moved, I have been blessed with lots of time to create. This blog and Cheers Y'all [the shop] are evidence of that! And to think that I was only intentional about those two things starting in October/November...I am elated to see what a whole year of creating will bring!

My sweet husband bought me this gift for Christmas. I had no idea he was going to do anything like this! It meant the world to me. I so appreciate, cherish, and adore his support of my creativity. 

I've always said, "I'm not a painter." But we shall see! With this little encouragement from Mark, it's worth a try.  

   I'm linking up with Khala and Samantha again today!Be sure to link up if you're sharing your 2014 hopes/dreams/goals!!    Now go visit my lovely sponsor, Khala!  

Auld Lang Syne

One of my favorite songs on my Christmas playlist...Auld Lang Syne.

It is arguably the best song James Taylor sings on his Christmas album. But what does it mean other than those three words?!

I did some research for you us!

"The song literally means "old long ago." The work by 18th-century Scottish poet Robert Burns has endured the ages and spread beyond Scotland and throughout the English-speaking world. The song is about "the love and kindness of days gone by, but ... it also gives us a sense of belonging and fellowship to take into the future," according to Scotland.org, a website of the Scottish government."

[Text Source]

 

Source [and free printable!]

That new knowledge made me love the song even more than I already do since the hubby is 1/2 Scottish!!!
[1/2 English, 1/2 Scottish. Just to be specific! ;)]

Cheers to the love and memories of long ago and the hope of the future! Happy New Year, dolls!!

 
  Now go visit my lovely sponsor, Khala! 

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!