Happy New Year

I never keep my New Year's resolutions.  Who does?  Everyone has given up the gym and healthy eating habits by February so I don't even bother starting.

 Instead, these are the things I am looking forward to the most in 2012:

1) The birth of my niece and Goddaughter, Laney Elizabeth Sholar

2) Going on spring break to some TBD location (hopefully, a tropical getaway with fruity umbrella drinks) 

3) Graduating law school

4) Starting my first adult career (well, if I pass the bar)

5) Leaving behind my city digs for country roots (this includes my monthly rent payment)

6) Wedding planning while not in law school

Wow, sounds like I have a lot of life changes headed my way!  Bring 'em on, but let me enjoy all of the little moments along the way.

 

Christmas 2011

Zack and I decided (after much deliberation) that we would spend this Christmas together. Why the deliberation? Our families reside 4 hours apart and it would be the first Christmas where one of us would not wake up in our childhood home.  We love our families and wish we could all be in one place (maybe one day)!

Big boy and big girl decisions are no fun!

So, we decided to alternate years spending Christmas Eve and Christmas morning in one home and Christmas night in the other.  This puts us on the road on Christmas day, but it is worth it!

This year Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning were spent in my parent's home (right outside of Charlotte, North Carolina).  All of us girls and our spouses were in attendance!  We had such a wonderful time and my parents were so grateful to my soon-to-be in-laws for sharing their handsome sons (yes, I said I sons...my sister is married to Zack's brother, Seth).   

We also had an amazing breakfast Christmas morning.  Zack and my mom cooked country ham, sausage, biscuits, danishes (both orange and cinnamon), grits, eggs, and etc!

Here are my sweeties in action:

Santa was also very good to me this year!  My favorite prizes from Christmas 2011 include:

Tory Burch Riding Boots (from Zack)

iPad (also, from Zack)

JCrew Peacoat (from my parents)

Michael Kors purse (from Zack's parents and my second parents)

 

After all the gifts were unwrapped, we hit the road to Beulaville a.k.a. God's Country so that we could spend the rest of the day with my Sholar family.  While it is a four hour drive, it gave Zack and I time to reflect on the year, future plans, and what exactly Christmas is about! 

We had a great time with the Sholar's Christmas night.   We ate some ribs, enjoyed some good music out by the fire, and shared lots of love!

When it was time to shut my eyes Christmas night, my only thoughts went to how blessed of a life I have been allowed to lead in these short 23 years -- I have the best family (Stroup's and Sholar's), friends, and future hubby!  I will be forever grateful for the memories I have made thus far!

I hope each of you had a very Merry Christmas!  On to the New Year...

Wedding Updates...

Zack and I still have about a year and four months till we say "I do."  Our wedding will be held on April 13, 2013.  However, I have managed to accomplish a few pre-wedding tasks.

(If you aren't into all things wedding -- STOP reading here).  

First and foremost, I found a dress.  For all the newly engaged ladies out there, Charlotte has some amazing bridal boutiques.  My dress was purchased at J Major's, but there are many options in all price ranges in boutiques around the city!

I then hired a photographer.  I hired the amazing Kristin Vining of KVP.  She is the absolute best and one of my "must-haves."  Along with her, I hired the fabulous stylist/make-up guru/ hair aficionado Lindsey Regan Thorne.  Girls, if you need two new blogs to follow, Kristin and Lindsey's are great!  This spring we should have engagement photos shot and styled by these two ladies...can't wait!

Last, but certainly not least, I found a venue to hold this shindig.  It will be in Downtown, Charlotte at the newly opened Foundation for the Carolinas.  Here are a few photos.  The Foundation houses a beautiful modern art museum.  If you are looking for a day out in Charlotte, it is a great place to visit and it is FREE to all visitors.  We still have to dot the i's and cross the t's on the contract, but that should be done by the 1st of January.  We thought this place would allow for all our guests to have "too much fun" and walk home to their hotels.       

I have yet to pick my "colors."  There are too many options on the color wheel. 

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!  We split our time between Charlotte and God's Country (as Zack calls it) in Duplin County.  More about our adventures later...(and maybe a video of Zack singing too).

Off to take down the Christmas decor...


 

Oh, the holidays...

School is out, bar application is done, now Christmas vacation has officially commenced!

Zack and I decorated our Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving, but I thought it deserved its on post, as it is our very first *real* tree!    

Here it is:

We still need a tree topper, but I think we picked a classic beauty of a tree.  The tree skirt was actually made out of a burlap tobacco sheet (courtesy of Zack's mother, Molly).  

Now, let the gift wrapping begin...  

(Shh, I have yet to get Zack's gift).