#ClosetGoals

New Years is a great time to reflect on your blessings and brainstorm your goals for the next year. I got to spend NYE with my favorite people in the world, my family.  I also got to see one of my oldest friends, Jenn.  I've known Jenn since 4th grade, and I met her husband even earlier in 3rd grade, so it was great spending NYE laughing and catching up.

LORI'S DETAILS:  TUXEDO TOP // BLACK JEANS // SIMILAR BOOTIES // EARRINGS
JENN'S DETAILS:  SWEATER // LEGGINGS // BROWN BOOTS // NECKLACE

Part of my new year's resolution revolves around my closet goals for 2016: to wear things I really feel good in and donate the rest.  I gathered a pile to take in to a local foster care placement organization, and I know you can too! Here's a quick test to help you make the keep vs. donate decision:

1. The High School Test: If your highschool cousin shops there, then you probably have no business wearing it anymore.  That crop top you wore to your favorite college party?  Donate.  Your torn up Abercrombie jeans?  Donate.  Your Dr. Martens you've saved for sentimental value?  Donate! I know they hold some great memories, but you've got photos and it's time to move on.  In the wise words of Blink 182, "I guess this is growing up". 
2. The 12 Month Test: If you haven't worn it in the past 12 months, then you don't need it.  You've made it through all four seasons without wearing it.  Let's face it, you're not really going to miss that blouse.
3. The Fit Test:  This one is obvious. Maybe you've lost weight, maybe you've gained weight.  But if it doesn't fit, then donate it.  Someone else who does wear that size right now might really love that dress. 
4. The Feel Good Test: If you don't feel great in an outfit, then why keep it? Give your wardrobe a refresh and opt for a newer look that you feel confident in.

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then donate that outfit to your favorite charity and take yourself shopping for something that suits you better in 2016!

Happy new year!

Cheers, it's time for 2016 Goals!

My New Year's Resolution this year was to go through my garage.  I have just read the best selling Marie Kondo books on tidying, and feeling inspired, tackled the task.  I laughed when I found a box of letters containing previous resolutions, all of which list the following .. .be on time, clean more often.  So this year, I am adding a new twist.  The goal is to go outside, walk with my children to the park after work, pack the fruit snacks and the jalapeno margarita to go, and leave the pile of leaves needing to be picked up for just a little longer.  I can't say enough how impacted I have been by my mother and grandmother's sense of style, but more importantly, I love their sense of spontaneity.  They could both just throw together an outfit and make a simple walk feel like a little occasion.  I never saw sweat pants growing up, I can't believe it.  I want a closet stocked for last minute jaunts outside, dressed in a manner in which I wouldn't be mortified to run into the neighbors.  Because, well, that has happened many a time before truth be told.  New Year, and it is time for some new (totally attainable) goals!

For a similar look ...

Rehearsal dinner looks

Cousin Elizabeth and her fiancé Andrew

Elizabeth with aunts and cousins

Elizabeth with the Boudreaux boys/cousins

Toasting the happy couple

My mom's family is very close. My cousins are like my brothers and sisters. Growing up, we'd always get together for holidays, Mardi Gras, summer vacations, you name it. Now that we're older, it's more difficult getting everyone together between sharing time with our own families, kids schedules and taking time off from work. Weddings have been the only occasion we're all able to come together.

This New Year's weekend, my cousin and best friend Elizabeth and her fiancé Andrew tied the knot in Houston. It was the perfect way to celebrate the New Year, and the first time our family has all been together (minus my cousin Taylor who was overseas and my grandparents who cannot travel - we missed you!) since my wedding nearly six years ago. I was honored to return the favor and stand by Elizabeth's side on her special day!

The wedding weekend kicked off on New Year's Day with a beautiful formal dinner at the St. Regis Houston hotel. Elizabeth looked gorgeous as always, and I loved the classic look she put together.

Elizabeth wore a beautiful, structured white Halston dress that fit her like a glove. She pulled her hair back into a sleek high ponytail to show off the dress's high back and her emerald drop earrings (yes, like the earrings Kyle Richards wore on the RHOBH). To top it all off, Elizabeth's silver heels were the perfect pop of personality.

Shop the bride-to-be's look

My brother and I

I wore a blue and black dress that had a similar cut to the yellow Elizabeth and James dress I wore recently here. The fitted top and flared bottom was very flattering - one of my new favorite cuts to help hide these wide hips I now have since having a baby.

The detailing is what I loved most about this dress - it looks as though it's beaded, but the pattern is actually black fabric with a sheen. The dress is very lightweight contrary to how it looks and has the right amount of stretch making it very comfortable (because we all know by now I don't wear anything that isn't comfortable).

I wore the same black heels I wore for the wedding (similar heels posted below), classic diamond and pearl earrings, and this diamond ring.

Shop my look

This New Year's weekend is one my family will always remember and cherish. It was so much fun having everyone together and reminiscing on old times. Drinking with my godchild was definitely a reminder how much we've all grown up!

More looks to come from Elizabeth and Andrew's fairy tale wedding. So happy for the newlyweds!

Happy New Year, y'all!

Xo, Jenn

Deck the Halls

Kelly is an amazing interior designer, so I always enjoy seeing how she decks the halls for Christmas or any other holiday.  I didn't have the chance to decorate much this year (teething puppies and trees don't go well together), but I got to enjoy the Christmas decor and tree at my in-laws' Christmas party.  Christmas trees are a good way to SPRUCE up a room (who doesn't love a good tree joke), and this tree was beautiful.  For the party I went with a versatile white blouse and jeans and paired it with sparkly earrings.

OUTFIT DETAILS:  SIMILAR WHITE TUNIC and BLACK TUNIC HERE // PAIGE JEANS // SIMILAR PEARL EARRINGS

I continued with the Christmas light looking tradition when we went down to Texas for the 2nd half of our unseasonably warm Christmas celebration.  I used to think snow was so beautiful and dreamed of having a white Christmas.  Then I lived in the northeast for a few years, walked to class in a blizzard, and shoveled out a car that was completely covered in snow.  Snow quickly lost some of its luster.  This year we had a pretty warm Christmas, and I didn't miss the white Christmas at all. This ombre coat was great for a night out light looking.  It can be dressed up or down and will be perfect for the light winters we have in the pacific northwest.
   

OUTFIT DETAILS:  OMBRE STRIPE JACKET // PETAL EARRINGS // BLACK BOOTIES // BLACK EVERYDAY TOP // BLACK JEANS

Merry Christmas, y'all!

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