New Years Eve Essentials!

Another year has come and gone... But before we send 2014 packing, here are some fabulous looks for your New Years Eve night out! Whether you're ringing in 2015 with friends and family at home or getting crazy with hundreds of champagne infused party goers, you will be looking sassy & classy. 

Jump suit and Happy New Year headband 

Black and Lace dress paired with pearls and nude pumps 

Top knot bando head wrap 

 CHEERS to a new year full of fashion and fun (and more blogs!)

***All clothing items are available in store now at The Boutique at Body Wellness!

***Pearl necklace- J.Crew 

Raspberry Butter Cookies

These are my absolute favorite holiday cookies! Not only do they remind me that the holidays are around the corner but the taste brings back years of fond memories. My mom has been making these cookies for years and now I finally put my apron on and gave it a try...and I must say they are delicious! Like mother, like daughter I suppose... Directions below. Enjoy! 

I added powdered sugar on top for presentation and left out the walnuts (moms allergic.) Now someone come help me eat these so I don't eat the whole plate myself! 

Some of my Favorites!

Check out some of my favorite fellow bloggers under the 'favorites' tab.

More of my favorites to come... 

Holiday Styled Shoot

I previously posted a "sneak peak" post about a Holiday Styled shoot I participated in about a month ago. However, the professional photos have now come back and they are beyond amazing! This styled shoot was particularly inspiring because each vendor involved is a self started small company or business. By pulling all of our individual talents together the product turned out beautifully.  A special thanks to Charlotte Jarrett an extremely talented event planner and the brains behind the whole idea. She was responsible for bringing all the vendors together as well as designing the multiple sets seen in the photos below. I would also like to highlight and credit all photography to Travis Curry. Details on all vendors will be listed at the bottom. I hope these pictures inspire you to get into the holiday spirit; and remember to be fabulous!

  

Photographer: Travis Curry Photography

Coordination, Styling & Design: Charlotte Jarrett Events

Venue: Blackwall Hitch

Flowers & Decor: Pops of Plum

Rentals: Party Plus

Rentals: XOXO Vintage

Hair & Makeup Artist: Sara Elizabeth Artistry

Invitations & Stationery: Allison Barnhill Designs

Attire: The Boutique at Body Wellness

Casual & Comfy!

Let's face it, looking good can sometimes be uncomfortable. While 5 inch pumps look great,every woman knows after an hour or two in those things and  we're ready to collapse. Not all beauty has to come with pain. These looks are not only fashionable, but best of all they are comfy and causal! 

All items can be found at The Boutique at Body Wellness! 

DONT FORGET Small Business Saturday is November 29th. 20% OFF the ENTIRE store! 

Wine Tasting Night!

Our first wine tasting night was a huge success! In fact, wine was the very thing that inspired the idea to start doing a wine tasting night with all of my favorite ladies. A few weeks ago my mom, best friend and I were drinking a few glasses of wine (we earned it after a long week.) My mom started telling us about a wine night she used to do with her friends. Thanks to her story and the buzz we had going from our wine... Wa lah! a wine tasting event was born just like that. Here's how we did it...

• Invite a small group of your favorite wine drinking friends to join in the wine tasting (10-15 is a good number) 

•Ask each attendee to bring a bottle of wine to share for the wine tasting ( red or white.) 

•We also made our event a pot luck where each ladie brought an appetizer and/or dessert of their choice.

• My mom and I bought 3 large bottles of  wine that were specifically for before the actual wine tasting (Chardonnay, Shiraz and Pinot Grigio.) This of course, got our juices flowing and paired nicely with all the food that was brought. 

•After mingling and eating we went into the room where the actual tasting would take place. 

•Each lady was given a wine score card and was instructed to score from 1-10 each wine on several categories (appearance, smell, body, taste,etc.) 

•My mom and I then began with the first red wine. We introduced the wine and poured a tasting for each lady to taste in small plastic cups we bought. 

•After serving each lady they began scoring. Each wine had it's own reaction with the crowd. 

•We went through the 7 red wines and then totaled up the score. Our winner for the reds was Liberty School. 

•At this time we took a short break to grab some more food and cleans our palettes; while we still had 5 white wines to taste.

•After the intermission we continued the wine tasting with the white wines. A Chardonnay La Cote Blanc was the crowd favorite. 

•Once all the wines were tasted we allowed everyone to fill up a real glass with the wine of their choice. 

•Everyone raved about the tasting and we plan on having another one after the Holidays!!! 

Here are some pictures from the Event:

***Thank you to all the ladies that attended. The best part of any wine tasting is spending time and sharing laughs with good people! Love you all.