NYE Blogger's Ball

Let me start this post off by saying that I've never had a good NYE experience. I've never had a horrible NYE, but I've never done anything awesome, had tons of fun, stayed up partying, etc. My husband has always worked on NYE and not wanting to go out without him, I've always stayed at home. lame sauce, I know It's always been this anticlimactic event. wow, that makes me sound really boring, but it is what it is

Well, this year, I've decided to link up for the Blogger's Ball. If I can't actually attend a fabulous event, why not link up for one?!

My look is inspired by Angelina Jolie's Golden Globe 2011 look and Pantone's Color of the Year for 2013

Looking back on some of my favorite moments from 2012:

Best Part of 2012
This is cheese ball, but getting to spend another year with my husband. We've been together over 6 years, and each year brings new challenges, but it also brings new depths to our relationship. I love him so much, and I'm so happy to have him as a partner.


Favorite song/book/movie of 2012
Song: Full Moon Rising by Neil Halstead
Book: Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner
Movie: This Is 40

Biggest accomplishment of 2012
Buying a house. Holy moly, that was stressful, but we made it through to the other side and love our new home. 

Looking forward to most in 2013
I'm looking forward to getting more settled in our new house and a  lot of vacations. (that last part may just be wishful thinking)

My new year's resolutions
I really hope to run a faster mile this year. I'd also like to see myself commit to eating a healthier diet all the time instead of just when I feel like it. I hope to find some hobby my husband and I can do together that we both love. In 2013, I want to spend more quality time with my husband, meaning TV off, cell phones down, really enjoying each other.

Here's to 2013 being as fabulous as you!

High Five For Friday!

Another week has come and gone, and even though I only worked 3 days this week, I'm still hap-hap-happy it's Friday! I'm linking up with Lauren for High Five For Friday!

BTW, how great is Alexa? Didn't you love her?

1. Candlelight service at church was so beautiful
2. My husband says this outfit is too much. I disagree wholeheartedly
3. Cuddling with these 2 is my favorite
4. Have you tried this? It might become a regular on the champagne circuit
5. Oh yeah, this is about to happen. Fat cells, I'm looking at you!

Have you met Alexa?

Hey y'all! I'm still traveling, but don't worry loves. I'll be back tomorrow. In the meantime, Alexa has so graciously prepared a post for you. 

Have you met Alexa? She blogs over at Southern Living, Our Way. She is totes funny, plus she's originally from Tennessee, so I pretty much love her! Her blog is on my must read list. She's a great gal. You could call me slightly obsessed, but I prefer massively interested.  OK, Alexa, take it away!

Hi, Love & Loyally readers! I'm Alexa and I blog over at Southern Living, Our Way ~ mostly sharing stories about being a newlywed {hello, popular blog topic alert!} and parenting a caaaa-uuuute dog who I consider my human child. I'm so excited to be guest posting on Jessica's blog today while she gets her travel on for the holidays! Today I want to talk about a topic that's on everyone's mind lately. It's almost life or death. The Mayans couldn't even have predicted this annual human dilemma {Oh wait, they're not very good at predicting things to begin with...}. You're thinking about it, I'm thinking about it. Heck, I bet even T.Swift is thinking about it, and we all know she's a busy gal already, what with juggling awards and barely-legal teens! Here it goes... How in the world do I want to spend my dolla dolla bills after Christmas?! {I'm not dramatic, I swear.} Personally, I'm a gal who loves receiving gift cards as much as I love receiving tangible gifts. My parents and grandparents hate giving us kids just money and gift cards, because it's not much to physically open on Christmas morning. However, opening a Target or Victoria's Secret bag full of self-bought goodies, weeks after Christmas when I feel flat-a** broke, is a nice gift in my book! So, if the ATM/gift card gods smile on me this year {gotta love those stocking stuffers!}, here's what I would love to buy that I didn't ask Santa for:

Oh, I swoon over this Coach Emmanuelle pea coat. Especially in this beautiful color (can I pull it off as Tennessee orange? Of course!).

Because I'd feel like an idiot asking for a food processor for Christmas, but I'm really really really missing homemade pesto since my old food processor broke months ago. Scale 1-10 how nerdy is this desire? 20, definitely.

Anthropologie initial iPhone case. Because when else can I afford anything in Anthro. besides a votive candle?

I posted about this state-shaped cutting board here. We gave one to my grandparents for Christmas, but now I'm jealous and would love one for myself!

Y'all probably think I'm just freezing all the time, between this and the pea coat. And I kinda am. My feet are always like ice. But in reality I just love this Mountain Hardwear "Monkey Woman" jacket. Favorite I've ever owned and I wear the same one daily. Even to work, because that's my definition of "business casual."

Color me crazy, and this one might take some work in convincing my husband {and our current "only child" dog}, but I want a Great Dane! It's always been my dream to have a horse-like dog whose weight equals two of me. I mean, why wouldn't it be?! So, what's on your post-holiday wish list? Come on, we're all greedy Americans, you don't have to be shy about it ;) Happy Holidays!! I hope you'll hop on over to Southern Living, Our Way and follow along!

Merry the Day After Christmas!

I'm still traveling and can't post like I normally would. I hope you guys had a fab Christmas! Special Treat for you tomorrow!

Source: google.com via Charlotte on Pinterest

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, dolls! 

Source: etsy.com via Justeen on Pinterest

Christmas Eve, baby!

It's Christmas Eve, baby! It's like my most favorite day of the year! Yeah, I like Christmas Eve way better than Christmas day. It's so full of hope and magic. And now that we've survived the end of the world and all, I want to celebrate super style. I love it!

But, I'm stuck at work today. No one told me being a lawyer meant that I would actually have to work. Warn a sister would, you? Raise your hand if you think I'll actually get anything done today. I'm going to bet I don't. I hope I do, because I've got a lot of work that needs doing, but I'm also giddy like a four year old.

I'm going to try to be on my best behavior, but no promises. 

So, if I wasn't at work today, I would be having a major party. You would be invited. Here's what would go down.

What, you need more? OK, consider yourself disinvited to my hypothetical Christmas Eve party. 

 

High Five for Friday!

It was a tough week. I've had the attention span of a three year old. Literally, I haven't been able to...wait, what were we talking about?

But seriously, I'm so glad it's Friday! I've seen all over the book of faces (aka Facebook) that people are done with work for a week. Well, not me kiddos! I'm working a full day today and Monday! Keep your fingers crossed I make it.

Now for your viewing pleasure, my H54F list. Check it out.

1. It's rained like crazy this week. I've been wearing lots o' hats
2. This is how she fell asleep and slept for over an hour
3. I don't even have words
4. Mimosa Sundays are my favorite kind of Sundays
5. And, to top of my week I accidentally dressed like Santa Claus

Half Marathon Update

OK, let me take a second to be completely and totally honest with you. I haven't gone for a run in 2 weeks. I should be running 5 miles as we speak, but I'm watching Sex and the City reruns and typing this post.

I just haven't been into it. At all. I've had zero motivation. I know it has to stop. Soon. Like now soon.

I recently read that Kate from The Small Things Blog committed to getting up at 5am and going to the gym with her husband. Now, I gut hate getting up before 7am, but I can always find an excuse not to go to the gym after work. I'm damned if I don't and damned if I do. After reading how much Kate found she enjoyed starting her morning with a healthy choice, I thought I could try it, too.

So, Kris and I have committed to getting up and heading to the gym at 5am for the next week. I'll keep you guys posted. I need something to get me back on track. This nonchalant attitude towards my health is the pits.

What do you guys do to get back on track after a timeout from exercise?

 

Source: Uploaded by user via Julie on Pinterest

Family + Christmas = The Most Stressful Time of the Year

I love Christmas. I think it is wonderful. Christmas lights look like floating bits of magic, and I can't help but smile when I see them. Christmas is probably my favorite time of the year. That being said, it can also be super stressful.

I have 2 sets of parents, which is normally great, but at Christmas it is challenging. My husband and I have to attend 3 immediate family Christmases. He always works until very late on Christmas Eve, and I usually work the day after Christmas, so we don't have a lot of time to get everywhere we need to go. Oh, and did I mention we live 3.5 hours away from our families?

Normally, living a good distance away from our families is a blessing, but it sure does make for a stressful holiday season. We leave our house at the crack of dawn , drive 3+ hours, lug ourselves, our dogs, and presents from house-to-house. We come home exhausted, emotionally fried, and completely devoid of our Christmas spirit. I'd rather stay at home and visit our families when we can be there for longer than a day, but my husband feels guilty if we miss Christmas. So, I'm humoring him until we have children. Then, we will be staying put during the holidays! Besides, Christmas is in your heart and not a day on the calendar, right?

Anyway, I haven't quite figured out how to deal with being pulled in so many directions and accommodating everyone else's schedules. All I know is "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" becomes "The Most Stressful Time of the Year." I secretly wish Kris and I would get snowed in and have Christmas just us. But, the high today is 63, so that would be a real Christmas miracle!

So, I ask you, how do you deal with family obligations during the holidays? Do you ever feel like running around from house to house defeats the purpose of Christmas? Share!

Style Statement Tuesday

I wore this while hanging out with family a few weeks ago. I thought it was comfy and cute. Plus, it fit my "Classic Pretty" style statement almost spot on. A classic button up with a pretty sweater, soft hair, and simple wedges - this is totally me.

Shirt & Sweater: J.Crew Factory; Jeans: Old Navy; Shoes: Target

I've recently been buying thin button ups and sweater so I can layer my clothes without looking too bulky. In a few of these pictures you can see the puff of my button up under my sweater, but it's not too bad. I love the look of the purple and pink together.

I'm starting to notice how much I am NOT a trendsetter. And I'm probably not even a trend follower, but the more outfits I put together for Style Statement Tuesday, the more I feel like I'm dressing to please me and not anyone else. 

 

Link up and share!

Best Selling Author

I have a brilliant beyond brilliant idea. I'm going to write a book. It's going to be called 'I Slept Alone Last Night: The Married Girl's Guide to Living the Single Life.' Pause for a second to take in the awesomeness.

You've heard me say a million times before that my husband works almost all the time. He works about 6 days a week, about 12 hours a day (not all, but most), and every holiday. I see him between the hours of 12am and 8am, on Monday evenings, and that's about it. We've been together for 6+ years, and it has always been that way. So, I've gotten pretty good at entertaining myself.

I think I could totally write a book for women on how to deal with a workaholic husband. Plus, I'm super funny so the book would be hilarious and probably best on the New York Times Best Seller list for 12 weeks in a row, at least. Because I love you all so much, I'm going to share a snippet of my book:

Mingle girls (BTW that' what I'm calling married girls with husband who work a lot, married + single = mingle) need to find things to do that keep them busy and make a positive impact on the community. I suggest:

1. Finding a boutique winery to support. Helping small business is fabulous! Plus, you'll have all those empty glass bottles. Can we say recycle opportunity?!

2. Watching TV in the dark. Turn off all the lights and watch your favorite television shows a couple of times a week. By cutting off the lights, you are reducing your carbon footprint. Environmental impact is something about which we should all be concerned. Combine this with #1 for a double whammy. 

3. Celebrate achievements by going to bed at 8pm. Going to bed early ensures that you will get an adequate amount of beauty sleep. Being beautiful is just good manners, and good manners never go out of style. 

What do you think? Can we say Pulitzer?

I'm linking up for YOLO Mondays

 

High Five for Friday

It's Friday! Per the usual, I'm linking up with Lauren at From My Grey Desk. Here are my 5 lovely little things for the week!

 

1. This little old man is so cute!
2. This baby girl is so sweet!
3. This guy won't stop following me around, but he's cute so it doesn't really bother me!
4. I got to wear a tiara at work #winning
5. Love mimosas on Saturday mornings!

Holiday Nails

If you follow me on Instagram (@jessicamanninggarner) you've seen these nails. If you don't, why not? I'm tons of fun.

Anyway, here are my holiday nails. Pretty dang festive, right?

Guest post anyone?

I still have one slot open for a guest post during Christmas week. Let me know if you are interested!

Holiday Decor

The Garner house is ready for Christmas. And I love it! Christmas is the only holiday for which I decorate. I really get into it. I'm not a professional decorator, but I do enjoy decking my halls.

I know you're dying to see to some pics, so here they are!

Tree #1 in our office

Holiday fun on our desk

More holiday fun in our bookcase

Decor on our kitchen table

Tree #2 drawn by my niece on our kitchen wall

Stockings on our banister

Pine cones in our living room

Decor on our dining room table

Tree #3 upstairs in the hall (can't get that star to stay straight!)

How have you guys decorated for the holidays?