It's still touch and go with the weather here in Alabama, but there is a rumor of some snow flurries for Christmas Eve, so I'm crossing my fingers for that!
The items pictured below are all things I've been crushing on for winter time.
Christmas is by far my favorite time of year & it isn't even about the presents (although presents are pretty cool!), but I really enjoy getting to spend extra time with my friends & seeing family members that I don't get to see on a regular basis.
My favorite part about this season are all of the get-togethers; I think of them as the most perfect excuse to wear my most festive clothes and get all dressed up. . .
(Ask C, I'm always the most dressy person at every single event!)
Today I wanted to give you a little bit of inspiration, because even the biggest fashionistas need some ideas every now & then!
Below, I'll be sharing four different ideas.
They are all dresses; two are for festive Christmas gatherings, one is for a more casual Christmas dinner, & then lastly is a dress that would be perfect for a New Year's Eve dinner or party!
This would be perfect for a fancy family dinner or meeting your boyfriends parents for the first time over the holidays.
I suggest pairing it with these statement earrings (bonus points if you pull your hair up into a low bun!), this sweater, and these shoes.
This outfit is a winner for sure!
Look Number Two:
This is another beauty by the Mint Julep Boutique, the "All the Trimmings" dress.
It's the flowy answer to the ever-lasting question of, "What do I wear to Christmas this year?!"
And hey, if your grandmother is going to ask you when you're getting married for the 640th time, wouldn't you at least rather be wearing this gorgeous number?
I suggest wearing long straight or curled hair & pulling it back halfway to show off these studs.
Personally, I think this outfit calls for a statement necklace as well, so how about this one?
If you're just having a casual lunch with your grandparents or maybe with just your parents and siblings, I think this dress would be the perfect, comfy-yet-cute option!
You can layer it with tights or if you're brave, go-bare-legged!
I haven't done a Wedding Wednesday post in forever, but today I decided it might be a refreshing change from all of the Christmas posts that have been going up lately.
But never fear, I have a cocktail post going up tomorrow that should fit right in with your Christmas get-togethers & on Friday, be on the lookout for a post on what to wear to your Christmas gatherings!
For today, we're going to jump into weddings & let me inspire all of you brides-to-be. . .
via
I love this sweet, soft color palette for a wedding, especially a Spring one. The gold and rose go together so perfectly.
I have to admit, I went from being stressed out about school to completely trying to block out anything but soaking up every second of relaxation that comes with the Christmas season.
I thought for a moment that I had kind of lost my sense of creativity and direction for the blog, but fear not!
I have a plan for the direction that I see The Southern Stylista going within the next year & I can't wait to see what y'all think.
I intend on doing my first "style" post after the beginning of the year, those are just difficult for me because I grew up being unsure of what others think of me & also because it's difficult to get anyone to take decent pictures around here!
But I'm working on both of those ;)
For today, I want to share with y'all some of my favorite decorating inspiration that I have found for the holiday season.
I know we don't have many days left to enjoy the decorations (does anyone else think Christmas should last more than one month?!), but I think that y'all will enjoy the re-cap of the things that have inspired me.
I love to go all-out for Christmas, but our porch decor is always on the simple side.
This year at my house, we just have two large poinsettias on our steps, two large lighted trees by the doors, & our two letter U's on the door with burlap ribbon.
But this porch is more like it.
I love the bountiful wreath, the lighted lanterns, & all the lighted garland and SNOW!
It just screams festive. :)
I hope y'all enjoyed the inspiration that I shared today.
Make sure to follow along on Pinterest: jordynreneee
I'm not one of those people that can start playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving and last all the way until the wrapping paper is packed up after Christmas, I'm just not.
But I do love Christmas songs, just only after Thanksgiving!
So when SiriusXM turned their Prime Country channel into Country Christmas after Thanksgiving, I wasn't that upset.
& you know what? I've found some new favorites for the season :)
I wanted to share with y'all some of my favorite songs (from multiple genres!)
It came out to be seven songs...don't ask me how I came up with seven, hah!
The Duck The Halls CD (by the cast of Duck Dynasty with many special guests!) will probably forever be one of my favorite Christmas albums, simply because parts of it will make you tear up at the sweetness while other parts will have you in tears because of how funny it is!
This first song is actually a duet with Josh Turner and Missy, so it's really sweet & shares the real meaning behind Christmas :)
We've discussed how Alabama is one of my all-time favorite groups & Christmas in Dixie is my all time favorite Christmas song in the history of ever. There is just something about it that makes me feel cozy, no matter where I am. You know they say that Southern really is just a state of mind ;)
Ever since This Christmas the movie came out, it's been one of my favorites & this song might be part of the reason why. Chris Brown's vocals are great & it just makes me want to be with my family.
I got Cold December Night as a free download from Starbucks one year & then fell in love with the entire Michael Buble Christmas album. Each song is perfect, but this one is different than your average holiday song.
Wrapped in Red is a song I discovered on Country Christmas & I must confess...I'm not much of a Kelly Clarkson fan, but this song may convert me.
It is so special, especially for you ladies who need to take some risks this Christmas-check it out!
All I have to say about this version of Santa Baby is that Clare Bowen is my favorite.
I recently discovered that the cast of Nashville did a Christmas album so I'm sure after I get a chance to listen to it tonight, it will be on repeat so I'm going to go on and tell y'all to check it out (since Nashville is my favorite show ever!)
And lastly, Lady A takes Christmas songs...originally I discovered their Christmas music with their version of This Christmas (which is SO good), but this song blew me away as well.
I hope y'all enjoyed another playlist post, they seemed to have been a favorite in the past & I like doing themes ;)
If you want to see my playlist on Spotify click here and see it as it grows for the rest of the month of December!
I've been pulling a Scarlet O'Hara in the weeks leading up to this. . .
But now it's time & I'm not ready...but hey, maybe y'all are!
Just in case, I wanted to post a little survival guide to aid you in studying & taking your finals.
Step One: Listen to classical music while you study
My personal favorite's are Debussy & Vivaldi, but chose your own!
You can either YouTube search for the songs or you can choose from one of the tons of playlists that Spotify users have put together for this exact purpose.
Plus, studies have shown that listening to classical music while you study improves concentration. :)
Step Two: Hydrate!
Once again, with the "studies have shown", but seriously if you stay hydrated it will not only make you feel better, but it will help your test scores!
Crack the books and keep a big tervis full of ice water (bonus points if it has lemon in it!) to help keep your mind & body clear.
Step Three: Get a good night's rest the night before your test.
No, your bedroom doesn't have to look like it was ripped from the pages of a Garnet Hill magazine, but it does need to be cool, dark, and a have a comfy bed in it.
I know all-nighters are tempting, but you'll do so much better if you're well rested.
Step Four: Eat a healthy, hearty breakfast
Your mom probably always told you this growing up, but starting your morning off with a healthy, hearty breakfast really will make your day go better.
You'll be tempted to speed through your test if your stomach is making sounds that resemble a whale's mating call.
Some of my breakfast staples are yogurt, oatmeal, fruit, hard-boiled eggs, and bagels (not all at the same time!)
I must have my coffee in the AM, but orange juice is also good!
Step Five: Stay calm, be prepared, & ace the test!
The biggest tip I have is simply to stay calm, if you don't freak out-the better you will do.
Make sure you come prepared; if you need blue books or scantrons, make sure you have them before you walk into the classroom. If you're nice, I would suggest picking up a few extra in case someone forgot theirs, you never know how much it would help someone if you were able to hand them one of your extras when they're panicking because they forgot theirs.
And lastly, ace that test!
If Luke Bryan believes in you, you know you're going to do well ;)
I was going to write every. single. day. out of last week.
But yeah, life happened so that definitely didn't happen.
This week was the last week of regular classes before my last two finals next week, so it was full of presentations, a paper, and tying up loose ends before the semester comes to a close.
So tonight, even though this isn't a regular posting time (or posting day!) I want to share last month's favorites with y'all so enjoy!
Ya know when I mentioned wearing the vest above over sweaters?
This is the exact sweater I was suggesting.
It comes in so many great colors and I own...four...yeah, I'm not even sorry.
Monogram App
Call me a typical white girl, call me a Southern belle, I don't care.
If it's not moving, I'm more than likely going to monogram it.
This app has SO many cute backgrounds (plus you can use your own pictures!)
I think it's free & then you can buy upgrades for just a few dollars.
It's one of my favorite apps!
**If you're interested in a "What's On My Phone" post, let me know in the comments!**
Favorite Shows:
I finally got caught up on Grey's Anatomy, so Private Practice was of course my next step & I have to say that I love love love it. It's almost as good as Grey's, just with less eye candy.
Trisha's Southern Kitchen is also one of my "must-watch" shows, she's so down-to-Earth & hilarious.
Plus, every recipe she makes is something that I would make for my own fiance' and family.
Omg, omg, omg...I love the Pioneer Woman!
Can you tell I spend wayyy too much time watching The Food Network?
Ree is the exact type of woman that I inspire to be, she is a great wife & mom, her home is absolutely gorgeous, and she is an amazing cook.
Plus, the ranch they live on? The blog she writes? It's all perfect & exactly how I want to be when I "grow up".
Favorite Video:
I try to get into Dancing With the Stars every year & I just can't.
I watched this episode though & this video had me absolutely cracking up!
I'm honestly surprised Tommy Chong didn't have a heart attack during this dance.
Plus, when he mouths "talk dirty to me" it makes me almost cry from laughing so hard.
Go. Watch it. Now!
Favorite Songs:
Wild Child: Kenny Chesney
This totally describes me perfectly, specifically the line "She's a wild child, got a rebel soul with a whole lot of gypsy wild style". It's such a sweet, easy-to-listen-to song. Grace Potter's voice also lends that little extra something that makes it perfect.
High Cotton: Alabama
This song is close to my heart for a couple of reasons & this month I've been bringing back this oldie but goodie.
First of all, the band Alabama is obviously from Alabama (fun fact, C knows Randy Owen & his family, they raise purebred Hereford and Angus cattle at their farm Tennessee River Music Farm)
Plus, this farm just reminds me of the way my daddy talked about growing up & it also relates to my connection of the land that I love.
"We were walkin' in high cotton, old times there are not forgotten, those fertile fields are never far away"
It's perfect for singing at the top of your lungs while you drive down back roads or even just listening to it playing softly in the background while you're cramming for finals!
I hope y'all enjoyed my random miscellaneous favorites for this month, I know they were all over the place!
Be on the lookout this coming up week (maybe even tomorrow!) for a post of my tips for surviving finals week, my Christmas playlist, & my top 10 gifts $20 and under!
