Shop the Post:
Vest: Lauren Ralph Lauren | Sweater: J.Crew Factory (love this one, this one, & this one) | Button down: J.Crew Factory | Denim: Paige | Shoes: Tory Burch | Bracelet: Brooks Brothers | Pearls: heirloom
Happy weekend, lovelies!
I hope you have have had a chance to recover from your NYE festivities and are ready for the weekend! At this moment, I am enjoying a rather unexpected snow day, which I sort of feel guilty for considering YESTERDAY was my first day back at work since before Christmas…#sorrynotsorry.
Christmas was such a wonderful time spent with my family! An entire week spent doing nothing but sleep in, run around together, eat lots and lots of food, and enjoy each other’s company. It was a much-needed break from reality, to completely check out from work and blogging, and focus on spending time with my family. I don’t get to see them nearly as often as I would like, or as often as I should, considering I live three hours away.
Spending time with my mom and finding that we have more and more things in common was definitely the highlight of our trip home. Discovering that we both love bows and girly things? Memorable. Finding that your love of pearls comes from your mother? Priceless. Especially when we got matching pearl bracelets and earrings. It may seem trivial and silly to you, but sharing something special like that with my mother (and my sisters…we ALL got matching pearl bracelets and earrings!), it will always remind me of our special times together, every time I wear them. 
This pearl necklace you see me wearing all the time (like, just about every outfit post on Instagram!) was my great-aunt’s necklace. A simple strand of pearls, not real, and yet they remind me of her. A very classy lady. A very sweet, loving person whom I always think of every time I put on this necklace.
Taking pictures downtown was very nostalgic for me. M and I had many dates along the riverfront while we were dating. It was our favorite place to go when Daddy and I, or any of us girls, went on a father-daughter date together. I had attended a couple of weddings down here, taken prom pictures here, run the hills when training for soccer. The river was especially flooded that day, those are actually giant logs floating in the water about ten feet below me. But it was beautiful. Other than the branches, the water was calm, and the sunset reflecting off the water was like a balm for the soul. It was good to be home, to be with family. So much had changed over the past year, heartaches and happiness, that going home ended up being the best Christmas present I could have gotten! I missed my family, and spending an entire week with them did not even remotely seem like a burden. I was not counting down the days until we would have to head back home, but I actually got to relax and enjoy our time together. It was much needed, and I am already looking forward to the next time I get to go back!
So lovelies, I hope that spending time with your family this Christmas was the best present you could have received, family is the best blessing that we could ever have, and we so often take them for granted.
What was your favorite Christmas memory this year?
I am so glad you were able to spend some time with your family over Christmas break! It is fabulous to see how your relationship with your mom will evolve as you get older. I am loving that bow bracelet and your pretty pearls! Happy New Year!! Susan
I am so glad you were able to spend some time with your family over Christmas break! It is fabulous to see how your relationship with your mom will evolve as you get older. I am loving that bow bracelet and your pretty pearls! Happy New Year!! Susan
I'm obsessed with your vest!! I've so much harder to go back after multiple days off – I don't want to!! And the photos at the river are gorgeous!
I'm obsessed with your vest!! I've so much harder to go back after multiple days off – I don't want to!! And the photos at the river are gorgeous!
Obsessed with this outfit! So sad I didn't get this vest while it was still in stock – you wear it so well!
Pink Champagne Problems
Obsessed with this outfit! So sad I didn't get this vest while it was still in stock – you wear it so well!
Pink Champagne Problems
Obsessed with this outfit! So sad I didn't get this vest while it was still in stock – you wear it so well!
Pink Champagne Problems
Such a cute sweater! Looks great with the plaid vest, too!
Such a cute sweater! Looks great with the plaid vest, too!
Love the different patterns in this outfit! You look so cute, as always. Also, I love the downtown backdrop- beautiful!
Jessica
http://www.afteroonstyle.com
Love the different patterns in this outfit! You look so cute, as always. Also, I love the downtown backdrop- beautiful!
Jessica
http://www.afteroonstyle.com
Love the different patterns in this outfit! You look so cute, as always. Also, I love the downtown backdrop- beautiful!
Jessica
http://www.afteroonstyle.com
I'm going gaga over that vest!! Love it!!
Moy
I'm going gaga over that vest!! Love it!!
Moy
I'm going gaga over that vest!! Love it!!
Moy
Currently trying to find a vest like this one… I am obsessed!