Friday, January 6, 2017

Here's To 2017...

And we're back!  We said goodbye to 2016 and kicked off 2017 with a bang, and a lot of entertainment from the littles (scroll for a little peek).  The new year brings new resolutions and new goals, both personal and professional.  You may, or may not, have noticed that we've been on an extended hiatus from the blogosphere.  After almost two years of dedicated posting and finding our voice, we realized that we were exhausted.  Let's face it, sometimes it's all we can do to keep the kids alive and fed, and while we may aspire to "have it all," the reality of trying to achieve that is really not very pretty.  We're in awe of the women who seem to have life by the tail, and although we may get there from time to time, most days are a struggle.  We both joke all the time about posting how we REALLY feel, but then we chicken out and share those thoughts only with each other.  Like so many people (girls, we're talking to you), we strive to put our best foot forward even if that means we're dying on the inside.  We love everything to look beautiful, stylish and graceful, but that takes a lot of hard work.  Our lives are really busy.  We live on a budget (yet dream of a shopping spree).  We try to feed our kids healthy food, which in some cases means choosing Chick fil A over Whataburger.  We still love to go to a show on a Thursday night, but we realize that means we'll pay the consequences all day on Friday.

So look for us to get real in 2017!  We still love all the things we love - fashion, travel, music, food, etc. - and we don't intend to stop.  We're just going to reveal a little bit more of the why and the how instead of just the fabulous "look-at-me" finish.



We both went for black and white tops, dark jeans and black pumps for our New Year's Eve looks.  Both tops are from J Crew, and Traci's can be found here.  Emily's has been sold out for a month or so, but you can find similar looks here and here.  For dark/black jeans, we like these and these.  Finally, every girl needs a great pair of black pumps.  They are timeless and they can take a look from boring to chic instantly.  Check out some styles we like here and here, and if money is no object, here.

A big New Year's Eve lead to a Bloody Mary Morning.  Actually, it was a Bloody Mary afternoon.  We struggled through brunch of the Barefoot Contessa's Pan Perdu (yes, I even made the brioche...for Christmas, but ended up freezing it because I couldn't get it together Christmas morning) and creamy cheese grits served with leftover beef tenderloin from the night before.  It turned out really well and would have been perfect if our heads had not been hurting so bad from too many glasses of bubbly the night before.

Right before the dads and the kids took the polar bear plunge.  Yes, we live on the Gulf of Mexico, but for this group of native Floridians, that water was COLD!


As for this video, we have not comment. Ha!


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10 comments:

  1. So glad you girls are back! Your words ring so true on the struggle to "have it all" and your honesty is so encouraging! Here's to a great 2017 -- with hopefully more stellar dance moves from the kids!

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    1. Thanks Lacy!!! It was so much fun to welcome 2017 with you! xoxo

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  2. Love the post, especially our expert dancers.

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    1. Thanks, Katherine! The dancers were certainly a highlight! Emily

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  3. Welcome back ladies!! Missed your posts for sure! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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    1. Thanks, Biana! New year, new energy. Here's to 2017! Cheers, Emily

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  4. Yay, welcome back!! What a fun family time you had!! Haha....love that video :) I wish I had those dance moves!

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    1. Thanks! I don't know if I'm proud or embarrassed that my three were front and center. I don't know where they get it! Cheers, Emily

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  5. Sounds like you guys had a fabulous holiday!

    Brooke
    Pumps and Push-Ups

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