The week between Christmas and New Years Day typically involves shuffling between different family members' and friends' homes. This means that there are plenty of hostess gifts to buy for those that brave the holiday hosting duties. If you're struggling for what to get, I've got you covered! From holiday-themed gifts to items perfect for their home, it's all below.
One of my favorite traditions that we do as a family is stockings. Since
we were little, my sister and I have always opened stockings from Santa
first thing in the morning. They're waiting for us outside our bedroom
doors, so when Bethany wakes up, she brings them into my room to open.
Together, on my bed, we open everything up. Now that Bethany's engaged,
we've brought her fiancé in on the fun, so it's a full house in my room
Christmas morning. My mom always tells me she has the most fun picking
things out for our stockings each year. When we come downstairs for
breakfast, she can't wait to hear about all our favorites.
Today's Gift Guide is for all my fellow bloggers! Nothing means more than the support from friends and family, so why not gift them something that shows you care? When creating our blogs, we spend a lot of time planning, taking photos, and working on our computers - below are 13 items that every blogger needs to help rock her slice of the internet.
This gift guide was made for me. While I love going out and experiencing new things, there's nothing like being home. Now that I'm in my own own place, cozy nights in are some of my favorites. Comfy pants, a candle burning, working on my laptop - there's nothing better. Below, I've rounded up items for you to gift your favorite homebodies. I may need to gift some of them to myself this Christmas!
It's officially my favorite time of year on the blog - it's Gift Guide season! I absolutely love giving gifts. There's something so fun about picking something up that you just know the recipient is going to love. Over the next couple of weeks, I'm going to help you find the ideal present for everyone on your list. From the homebodies to the dapper men, I've got your inspiration covered.
Today's gift guide is inspired by all things beauty. With the help of my sister (the beauty guru in my life), I've rounded up 13 gifts that are sure to dazzle the Beauty Queens in your life.
November was a whirlwind! Three trips, a holiday, and kicking off the Christmas season. This month was one of my favorites because I was able to see both my friends that moved away this summer. I saw Betty when I visited her new home in Austin and Dana came back for Thanksgiving - it was great. Below, you can catch up on this month's blog posts, as well as take a peek into how I spent my November.
The colder months are just around the corner, which means winter fashion is on the horizon. One of my favorite choices this year is white lace. It's so feminine and can easily be dressed up for the holidays. My mom recently gave me one of her lace shirts and I've fallen in love with it. I've worn it to work with black slacks, as well as with jeans and booties for dinner with the girls. It's inspired me to add more lace to my wardrobe (que the Cyber Monday sales now). I've rounded up some of the cutest white lace tops from each of my go-to stores (all for under $100!), plus my favorite way to style my top below!
Even though it snowed in Chicago this week, I still consider everything prior to Thanksgiving fall. It's my favorite season, so I refuse to let it be cut short by snow. Once Thanksgiving is over, then I'll concede and accept that winter has arrived. ;)
Throughout the season, there are always a handful of items that I consistently use. Today, I'm sharing the top 13 that have become favorites this fall. From comfy pants to festive candles, my essentials are below.
October was a crazy month at work. I attended the last of our four career fairs, interviewed over 40 candidates for our leadership program, and went to Connecticut to run an assessment center. (I work more in October than any other month during the year.) Thankfully, I also spent time with friends attending concerts, Halloween brunches, and haunted houses. The best part though? My sister visited for the first time since January. Having her here was amazing! We spent time wedding planning, shopping for dresses, and spending quality time together.
The final day spent on our New England road trip was so much fun! I had always associated lighthouses with Maine, so when we decided to do a lighthouse tour, I was excited. We also visited an abandoned beach, a museum all about witches, and went to the movies. All the details of our last day are below.
Today, I'm sharing the next part of my epic New England road trip! Days three and four were my absolute favorite. We woke up before the sun came up, hiked the edge of a mountain, and saw some incredible views. Acadia National Park is a beautiful place, so we tried to pack as much as we could into a short time. All the details are below.
It's been a little over a month since I returned from my New England road trip. Three girlfriends and I drove the Massachusetts and Maine coast, with a stop in beautiful Acadia National Park. The first two days of our trip were spent in Massachusetts. I had never been to the state so it was fun to see two different parts, both with their own unique characteristics. Over the next couple weeks, I'm going to share our full itinerary, complete with recommendations for planning your own trip. Up first: Day 1 and 2.
I think I spent more time away from home than in it during the month of September. I traveled to California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Maine! Plus, worked picked up, so I spent more time at my parents to cut down the commute. Despite it being such a hectic month, I loved every second of it. I will never get tired of traveling and exploring new places.
Our last day spent in Banff was incredible. For the first time since arriving, we had truly perfect weather. It was sunny and seventy degrees, which was just what we needed. Not only that, but we saw one of the most photographed places in Banff and it did not disappoint. All the details of our day spent on Lake Moraine are below.
I am officially back from my trip to New England and can't wait to continue sharing my Banff adventure with you. Our third day was jam-packed with activities. We completed a ten-mile hike, soared over the national park, and had a fabulous dinner. See below for all the details.
Back in July, I took a trip to Banff, Alberta, with three girlfriends. We spent four days immersed in nature and some truly incredible sites. I'm currently planning a trip to Acadia National Park, which has me reminiscing about Banff's National Park. It's a trip that will stick with me forever. Between the gorgeous views and quality time with my friends, it couldn't have been a better experience.
Hello everyone - I'm back! I decided to take a month off of blogging to enjoy a little piece of my summer apart from LE. It was a needed break to refocus and rededicate my time to blogging. I'm coming back in September ready to share travel trips, fashion advice, and give you a peak into my new home. But first, let's take a look back at my month spent away from Lavender Elizabeth.
July was quite the month. Three major things happened: I moved into my very own place, I went on the trip of a lifetime to Banff, and I said goodbye to two of my closest friends as they start new adventures out of state. I also experienced one of the worst sunburns of my life! You'll notice that I'm missing photos from July 8 to 11, as I could barely walk from pain. Below is a peak into how I spent the non-sunburnt parts of July.
The weekend before Independence Day was so busy and the Fourth didn't slow down. I experienced the holiday in the city for the first time, planned an epic girls' night out, and had a boat day on the lake.
It was a weekend full of sunshine, friends, and fireworks.
I made a promise to myself this summer that I'd explore more of Chicago. From eating at new restaurants to trying different activities, I wanted this season to be one for the books. Back in May, a group of girls and I bought tickets to two different events: a sangria fest and rooftop yoga. Thankfully, we were finally blessed with some warm weather, so it turned out to be perfect timing. The other big ticket item that occurred? Chicago's Pride Parade! I brought my friend, Dana, along for the fun and trust me, it was so fun!
These three events made for one epic weekend!
JUNE RECAP
June in Chicago has been strange. We've had so much rain this month! Thankfully, the sun has occasionally popped out, giving me plenty of time to enjoy the weather. Throughout the month, I tried new restaurants, like Kaiser Tiger and IO; discovered my love of frozé at Park & Field; and relaxed on my front stoop, chatting with friends. I also took a last minute trip to headquarters to meet my new Head of Talent. I was able to spend valuable time with my team, which is just what I needed at the end of the fiscal. The highlight of my month, however, happened on the last day of June. Dana and I participated in Chicago's Pride Parade by riding on Smirnoff's float. It was such a wonderful day. And, in true June fashion, it ended up down pouring halfway through the parade. Thankfully, it didn't dampen our moods, but had us celebrating in the rain.
June in Chicago has been strange. We've had so much rain this month! Thankfully, the sun has occasionally popped out, giving me plenty of time to enjoy the weather. Throughout the month, I tried new restaurants, like Kaiser Tiger and IO; discovered my love of frozé at Park & Field; and relaxed on my front stoop, chatting with friends. I also took a last minute trip to headquarters to meet my new Head of Talent. I was able to spend valuable time with my team, which is just what I needed at the end of the fiscal. The highlight of my month, however, happened on the last day of June. Dana and I participated in Chicago's Pride Parade by riding on Smirnoff's float. It was such a wonderful day. And, in true June fashion, it ended up down pouring halfway through the parade. Thankfully, it didn't dampen our moods, but had us celebrating in the rain.
June has been such a fun month! My friends and I tried to do something together every weekend since two are moving out of state at the end of July. We celebrated birthdays, tried new bars and restaurants, attended a sangria fest, and did rooftop yoga. I also took a last-minute trip to my company's North American headquarters in Connecticut to meet our new global head of talent. Below is a look into everything I did during the first month of summer.
The Fourth of July is just around the corner and I can't wait! Fireworks are one of my all-time favorite things, so this holiday is made for me. This year, I'm staying in Chicago, BBQing and watching the fireworks on the beach with friends. Fifteen of us are also renting a boat on Lake Michigan over the weekend, which will amazing (as long as it doesn't rain)!
I found the most comfortable dress for summer! And bonus, it's super flattering and has pockets. I bought it in two colors - one in black and one striped - because I loved it that much. Last weekend, I wore the black one for a day of rooftop bar-hopping and it was the perfect choice. The dress was lightweight, relaxed, and super cute. I started searching online for some other dresses of the same material and came across some great options. Below are my top nine styles to wear this summer.
Father's Day is just around the corner, which means it's time to show your dads how much you care. Just like I did for Mother's Day, I've put together a list of twelve things perfect for your dad's interests - from the BBQ'er to the Coffee Lover; the Sports Fan to the Photographer.
MAY RECAP
May was a wonderful month. I spent Cinco de Mayo with Dana, enjoying some beautiful weather; partnered with Habitat for Humanity and my company for a Women's Build (pink hardhats included); hosted a Game of Thrones finale party with friends; toured around the city looking at apartments; flew to Connecticut for a fun week at headquarters; and enjoyed a BBQ with friends over Memorial Day weekend. It was truly a month worth celebrating.
May was a wonderful month. I spent Cinco de Mayo with Dana, enjoying some beautiful weather; partnered with Habitat for Humanity and my company for a Women's Build (pink hardhats included); hosted a Game of Thrones finale party with friends; toured around the city looking at apartments; flew to Connecticut for a fun week at headquarters; and enjoyed a BBQ with friends over Memorial Day weekend. It was truly a month worth celebrating.
It's officially time for May's installment of My Month in Photos! This month, I traveled to Connecticut for work, tried out some fun spring nail colors, and had lots of doggy snuggles. I also started looking for a new apartment, which was so fun! Check out some of the views below!
Mental Health: a person's condition with regards to their emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
With May being National Mental Health Month, I wanted to share a little bit about my own personal journey with mental health. My depression first emerged my freshmen year of high school, when I was just 14; however, it took until my first year of university to really understand what it was and how it affected me.
Boyfriend jeans are the best. As much as I love my skinny jeans, there's something so nice about a loose fit. I discovered my love for them when I found these ones at Old Navy. They have slight distressing, but can easily be styled for a business casual look. Last weekend, I wore mine with a striped shirt, blazer, and a short heel. It was the perfect brunch outfit!
Below, I'm sharing six of my favorite ways to style boyfriend jeans, from relaxed to business casual.
Below, I'm sharing six of my favorite ways to style boyfriend jeans, from relaxed to business casual.
Mother's Day is just around the corner, which means it's time shower your favorite ladies with love. I think the most special gifts are ones that are tailored to the personality and interests of the receiver. Below are ideas for all the moms in your life - from the sentimental to the homebody; the gardener to the hostess.
APRIL RECAP
April may have been the weirdest weather I've ever experienced. There were bright and sunny days; two snowstorms; and some serious thunderstorms. I did, however, manage to have a wonderful month! I started in Charleston visiting my sister, then headed to San Francisco for a week with my university friends. The rest of the month was spent exploring new places in Chicago, watching the final season of Game of Thrones, enjoying Easter Brunch with my friends and family, and soaking up as much sunshine as I could.
April may have been the weirdest weather I've ever experienced. There were bright and sunny days; two snowstorms; and some serious thunderstorms. I did, however, manage to have a wonderful month! I started in Charleston visiting my sister, then headed to San Francisco for a week with my university friends. The rest of the month was spent exploring new places in Chicago, watching the final season of Game of Thrones, enjoying Easter Brunch with my friends and family, and soaking up as much sunshine as I could.
This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites on the blog. I love sharing my month with you through photos. This month started in South Carolina and California and ended with the second snow of April. There was plenty of coffee, beautiful flowers, and dog snuggles throughout the month.
This month, I discovered a blog that I've fallen in love with. The Sister Studio has the cutest style and some great advice on all things fashion. While reading her blog, I came across her February Faves post and loved the idea. With her inspiration, I'm adding my favorites to each monthly Loving post.
Happy Good Friday everyone!
Today, we begin the celebration of Easter. For "'He himself bore our sins' in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; 'by his wounds you have been healed.' (1 Peter 2:24). Good Friday commemorates Jesus' death on the cross - the ultimate sacrifice that saved us.
One of the ways that my family celebrates Easter is by hosting a brunch for our friends. For me, this is the perfect excuse to wear a cute spring dress. Below are some of my favorite Easter dresses to inspire your Sunday best.
After buying a jean jacket for St. Patrick's Day, I've fallen in love with them. Not only are they lightweight, but they go with everything. Lately, I've been styling mine with colored jeans, to offset the blue denim, and bold earrings. Now that we're officially into spring, I'm looking to purchase one more jean jacket to add to my wardrobe. While searching, I discovered different washes and details that I love. Below are nine of my favorites, as well as some styling inspiration from my fellow bloggers.
This past weekend, my college best friends and I went on a girls' trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea. We decided when I was there in January that we'd do a girls' weekend away when I came back in April. We typically stay at one of our houses, but wanted to do something a little different this time. I've been on plenty of girls' trips and love to plan them! Today, I thought I'd share my tips on creating the best girls' weekend, plus share the highlights of our trip to Carmel.
MARCH RECAP
I had such a fun-filled March! Each weekend, I had something else going on - just how I like it. Weekend #1 was spent with my family in Naperville; Weekend #2 involved a girls' weekend away to Milwaukee; Weekend #3 had me experiencing St. Patrick's Day in Chicago; Weekend #4 we hosted a 1920's Murder Mystery party; and Weekend #5 I visited my sister in Charleston. The weekends were made even better due to our change in weather. Chicago has officially started its migration over to spring, which means lighter jackets and sunshine!
I had such a fun-filled March! Each weekend, I had something else going on - just how I like it. Weekend #1 was spent with my family in Naperville; Weekend #2 involved a girls' weekend away to Milwaukee; Weekend #3 had me experiencing St. Patrick's Day in Chicago; Weekend #4 we hosted a 1920's Murder Mystery party; and Weekend #5 I visited my sister in Charleston. The weekends were made even better due to our change in weather. Chicago has officially started its migration over to spring, which means lighter jackets and sunshine!
Today is my ten year anniversary of having my thyroid removed.
In January 2006, right before I turned 14, I caught a stomach flu that never went away. Over the course of the next three years, I would visit countless doctors, have multiple tests, and get my blood drawn more times that I can count. It wasn't until November 2008 that I would receive any answers.
Last month, I started a new series on Lavender Elizabeth: My Month in Photos. I love taking pictures of my day-to-day life, which is why I decided to start this series. Blog posts often have curated photos and don't show true daily life. This series gives you glimpse into my everyday. Below is how I spent my March!
Guys, I think spring is officially on its way! We've been having warmer days and my allergies have started to kick in (ha!). I'm so ready to leave the house without a coat, sit outside at restaurants, and explore Chicago in the warmth. For now, I'm loving this sunshine! See what else I've been loving this month below.
This past weekend, my roommates and I hosted a 1920's Murder Mystery Party to celebrate Betty's birthday. She worked with The Murder Mystery Co., a company that specializes in Murder Mystery dinner parties. The premise was a Mobster Speakeasy gone wrong. We had rival mob bosses, a singing superstar, and an undercover Bureau of Prohibition agent. We transformed our apartment into our very own speakeasy as the backdrop to the party. It was seriously an amazing night!
I am having a moment with tassel jewelry. I love that they're playful, but still so beautiful. For spring, they're ideal. With so many colors to choose from and their happy nature, they accessorize an outfit perfectly. My current collection includes way too many necklaces and a growing earring collection. My current favorite: my long orange earrings pictured below. Over a girls' weekend in Naperville with my mom and sister, we stopped into Lauren Rae, a little boutique downtown. As soon as I saw them, I knew I had to have them. Not only were they my favorite color, but they had tassels! From that moment, I knew I had found a staple in my jewelry collection.
Happy St. Patrick's Day, friends!
Have you ever seen something in photos for years and then finally get the opportunity to see it in person? That was me yesterday with Chicago's green river.
Yesterday, after living in Illinois for three years, I finally experienced the green river. What's even better is that I did it on a boat! I, along with two of my friends, went on a booze cruise to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year. We were on the boat for a total of three hours, which was the perfect amount of time.
Spring is just around the corner (5 days - but whose counting?)! To me, green just screams spring. Everything is starting to bloom, creating beautiful colors in nature. As I start to prep for this new season, I can't help but want to make a couple changes throughout my home, starting with this color. Adding subtle touches of green, whether in fresh plants or throw pillows, these decorative features are sure to get you in the mood for springtime.
This past weekend, a group of girls and I took our second girls' trip together. This time, we went up to Milwaukee. I had never been, so exploring this new town was a blast. We were only there for the weekend, but definitely made the most our of our time. We drove up on Saturday, staying the night in an Airbnb and then left Sunday afternoon to head home. The only bummer about the weekend was the mass amounts of rain we experienced on Saturday (which then turned to hail and ice). I'm looking forward to going back in the spring when we can walk along the lake and see the city in the sunshine! Regardless of the dreary weather, we truly had a great time eating food, trying new bars, and finding hidden gems in the city. Below is our full itinerary.
FEBRUARY RECAP
This month was a blast! I spent so much time with friends and family - my kind of month! I started out February on a mountain in Michigan, skiing with friends. I hosted my girlfriends for my annual Galentine's Day party. This year, we all brought our favorite things and did a gift exchange. I also celebrated turning 27, went to a LinkedIn workshop, joined a book club, started working out again, and planned trips to Charleston, San Francisco, and Banff. I can already feel that March is going to be just as great a month.
This month was a blast! I spent so much time with friends and family - my kind of month! I started out February on a mountain in Michigan, skiing with friends. I hosted my girlfriends for my annual Galentine's Day party. This year, we all brought our favorite things and did a gift exchange. I also celebrated turning 27, went to a LinkedIn workshop, joined a book club, started working out again, and planned trips to Charleston, San Francisco, and Banff. I can already feel that March is going to be just as great a month.
Today I'm starting a brand new series: My Month in Photos. Every month, I take dozens of photos that I never share. From views to random selfies, I typically take a least one photo each day. Rather than keep them collecting dust in my iPhone, I thought why not share a glimpse into my daily life? Enjoy my first installment of My Month in Photos.
January was the slowest month, but February seems to have flown by! It's been a busy month filled with exploring new parts of Chicago, skiing in Michigan, and hosting get togethers with friends. I've been loving the fun I've been having this month, as well as some little things that made February that much better. Below are the five things I've been loving throughout the month of February.
Home decor is quickly becoming a passion of mine. I love being able to transform a space into something homey, personable, and stylish. One of the easiest ways to do this is to add decorative throw pillows to a space. Creating definition with different sizes, colors, and patterns is a great way to update your room. When looking for inspiration for my bedroom, I started scouring Pinterest. One trend that continually caught my eye was the use of patterned pillows. My favorite way to use pattern is by mixing them, but utilizing similar colors. Three examples are below, as well as my favorite patterns to use in your home.
To me, some of the most feminine and stylish rings are the simplest ones. Thin bands, a slight sparkle, and small details; in a word: dainty. The ring that I wear every day is just that and I love the way it looks on my hand. I find that when I accessorize with rings, I tend to look for rings with subtleties, just like my staple ring. Below are some of my favorite dainty rings, all for under $25.
I first read about a Favorite Things Party on Michaela Noelle Designs. She's hosted a couple for different holidays and I knew I had to try it. Last year, I hosted my first Galentine's Day Party with a Sleepover Theme; this year, it was time for a My Favorite Things Party.
Today is my 27th birthday (and Lavender Elizabeth's 2nd anniversary)! Usually, when this day hits, I'm shocked and can't believe another year has gone by. This year, however, I'm completely ready for my birthday. I had the realization a couple weeks ago that I felt 27. Where I'm at in my life right now just feels like 27. I'm oddly content about getting another year older and already can't wait to see what this year brings.
Tomorrow is my 27th birthday! It's crazy how fast this last year has gone by. Last year, when I celebrated year 26, I created a list of things I wanted to complete during the year. Looking back at that list, I didn't accomplish everything I wanted to, but still had an amazing year. Below is my recap of my 26 Things to Do at 26.
26 Things to Do at 26: The Results
This past weekend, we went on our second annual ski weekend. Last year's trip was the first time I spent an entire weekend with these friends - it was the trip that solidified our friendship and from then on out, I never left the group chat. Celebrating a year with these friends, skiing just like we did last year, was perfect. This year, we went to Dana's lake house in Michigan, added new friends, and ate amazing food prepared by Betty. All our fun is below!
JANUARY RECAP
This has been quite the month! Chicago went through a Polar Vortex with temperatures down to -21, with a windchill of -60. I didn't leave my apartment for two days to avoid the chilly weather. Prior to surviving record breaking temperatures, I went on two trips. The first was to Charleston, South Carolina, to move my sister and her fiancé into their new home; the second was to Northern California, where I saw friends, explored familiar towns, and worked out of our San Francisco office. The rest of the month was spent with family and friends, enjoying the first month of the new year.
This has been quite the month! Chicago went through a Polar Vortex with temperatures down to -21, with a windchill of -60. I didn't leave my apartment for two days to avoid the chilly weather. Prior to surviving record breaking temperatures, I went on two trips. The first was to Charleston, South Carolina, to move my sister and her fiancé into their new home; the second was to Northern California, where I saw friends, explored familiar towns, and worked out of our San Francisco office. The rest of the month was spent with family and friends, enjoying the first month of the new year.
January has been a very long month. It's slowly gotten colder and colder, with temperatures dropping to -21 yesterday! In honor of the longest moth of the year ending, I'm bringing back my "What I'm Loving" series. The last time I shared my monthly loves was back in September, so it's long overdue!
Below are the five things I've been loving this January.
This year, I've decided to get into candles. My family is obsessed with them, but for some reason, I've never jumped on the candle-loving train. That's going to change this year! In the winter, burning a candle can really create a warm and comforting home. I reached out to my candle-burning friends for their recommendations. Below are twelve of the most popular scents for the season, according to my favorite people.
I spent the last week in Northern California and it was perfect. I still had 2.5 days of vacation to use up by the end of January, so I decided to take a last-minute trip to California. I told myself if I could find a cheap flight out there that I would go. I hadn't seen my friends since they visited in May, so a visit was long overdue. I was able to spend quality time with each of my girls, both one-on-one and together. Eleven cities over seven days - it was busy, but so fun. Read all about it below!
Winter is a magical time, but can also be quite gloomy. With less daylight hours and more overcast days, it can be easy to catch the winter blues. Being born in Canada and now living in Chicago, I've had my fair share of winters. Throughout the years, I've discovered some tried-and-true strategies to survive the chillier months. Chicago was just hit with a huge snowstorm, so I thought what better day to share my tips for getting through these snowy days? Below are 12 of my favorite ways to beat the winter gloom and find joy in this season.
Yesterday, it snowed all day long here in Chicago. It was beautiful. I love winter because it means cozying up in sweaters. There are so many different takes on the classic sweater and today, I'm sharing my favorites. From necklines to fabric details, there are so many options - and so many ways to mix-and-match. See below for 16 of my favorite ways to wear sweaters, as well as some great ways to shop each style.
In yesterday's recap of our trip to Charleston, I mentioned staying in a beautiful Airbnb while in Knoxville, TN. Today, I'm giving you a tour! This SoKno River View Craftsman was perfect. As soon as we walked in, all the details jumped out at us. The home had clearly been renovated, but with added charm. The house itself is a three bedroom, two bathroom home with a lake view. The master has an ensuite, complete with a walk-in shower; the other two bedrooms share the common bathroom. The kitchen has open shelving, subway tile, and wooden accents. There was also cute decor - like a "Lavender" sign - adding a real HGTV vibe. Plus, it was crazy clean, which I appreciate more than anything. I would highly recommend staying here if you're ever visiting the Knoxville area.
FRONT DOOR & FRONT ENTRYWAY
FAMILY ROOM & DINING ROOM
THE KITCHEN
BEDROOM #1 & MASTER BEDROOM
MASTER BATHROOM
BEDROOM #3 AND BATHROOM
CUTE SIGNS
I love Airbnb because you get to stay in great little places like this.
This past week, my family moved my sister and her fiancé to Charleston. After spending New Years' Eve together, we set out on our road trip from Naperville, IL to Charleston, SC. We took three cars and one U-Haul trailer through six states, driving 948 miles over two days. It was a lot of time spent in the car, but so fun. We brought three walkie-talkies so each car was able to communicate with the other two. For anyone going on a road trip - highly recommend bringing them along! We had a wonderful week spending time as a family, while also exploring my sister's new home.
DECEMBER RECAP
December was amazing. I absolutely love the holidays, so I spent a lot of time enjoying the Christmas festivities. From looking at lights to shopping for gifts; holiday-inspired bars to ugly sweater parties; I appreciated it all! I also had the opportunity to use up some of my vacation time, so took the entire week of Christmas off of work. It was exactly what I needed! I rounded out the year with my family, staying home and playing games. It was the perfect ending to 2018.
CATCHING UP ON LAVENDER ELIZABETH'S DECEMBER:
December was amazing. I absolutely love the holidays, so I spent a lot of time enjoying the Christmas festivities. From looking at lights to shopping for gifts; holiday-inspired bars to ugly sweater parties; I appreciated it all! I also had the opportunity to use up some of my vacation time, so took the entire week of Christmas off of work. It was exactly what I needed! I rounded out the year with my family, staying home and playing games. It was the perfect ending to 2018.
CATCHING UP ON LAVENDER ELIZABETH'S DECEMBER:
- Currently // November to December A recap of last month and a look into next
- Kicking off the Holiday Season How my roommates and I kicked off December
- Gift Guide for the Fitness Lover Great gifts for the fitness lover in your life
- Gift Guide for the Photographer Gift ideas for your friend who loves taking photos
- Gift Guide for the Outdoor Lover Special presents for a nature lover
- The Stressed Out Girl's Gift Guide Gifts perfect for after the holiday stress
- My Fall Bucket List A complete look at my fall season
- Our Family Tree + Christmas Traditions A peek at our Christmas tree and traditions
- 2018 // Year in Review Looking back on my favorite memories of 2018
COMING UP THIS MONTH
January 1 Start our road trip to Charleston
January 2-6 Visit Charleston, SC (and move my sister there)
January 11 Friends' night out
January 12 Celebrate Kat's birthday
January 18 Celebrate my Dad's birthday
January 19-22 Visit friends in California
January 2-6 Visit Charleston, SC (and move my sister there)
January 11 Friends' night out
January 12 Celebrate Kat's birthday
January 18 Celebrate my Dad's birthday
January 19-22 Visit friends in California
Have an incredible January!
"I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14
A couple of years ago, I decided that rather than make "resolutions," I'd prefer to have a word that defines my year. For 2017, I chose the word JOY, and for 2018, INTENTION. This year, the word that's been on my heart is ENOUGH. I've realized over the past few months that I'm starting to compare a lot. Compare my experiences, what kind of events I'm attending, how my photos compare to other bloggers, etc. I'm confident in who I am, but every now and again, I have these moments, and that's when the comparison creeps in. This year, I want to be remember that I am enough.