Twenty Twelve.

This is it folks. The last hours of 2012. The minutes that we pause to ask have we done everything we wanted to do this year? Were we kinder, more generous, more ambitious, more adventurous? Did we take the chances that were presented to us, did we try our best at absolutely everything including our relationships with one another?

Personally 2012 was the most emotionally devastating year of my life. I usually don't share personal things here but I decided I would make an exception tonight. This past spring I lost my younger brother. He was 18 and we were only 16 months apart in age. His death shook my entire world and I, nor my family will never be the same because of it. No one can tell you how incredibly much the loss of someone close to you feels until you experience it yourself. I miss him so terribly every single day and only have peace knowing he is with the Lord and free of pain.

As far as adventure and taking chances 2012 was full of them. In May-June I studied abroad in Brussels, Belgium through my University. It was my first time going abroad and my first time flying by myself. I didn't know anyone going on the trip yet still went, which was a huge step for me. It was the time of my life. While in Europe I traveled to London, Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Florence, Pisa and Bruges. Traveling abroad was such a bucket list item for me and I experienced SO many amazing things and am so blessed to be able to have done them. I am endlessly thankful to my amazing parents to make this trip possible. If you want to hear more about the trip read here.

School wise I had my first 4.0 semester and declared my major (English: Writing & Publication Studies) which was wonderful. Having a direction and knowing what I want to do with my life is an amazing feeling and I couldn't be more pleased about where my future is headed.

My little blog was created in July of this year and is one of the best things I did all year. I love blogging and the blogs that I read every day. I get endless inspiration from the posts all you lovely ladies create and share each day. 2012 was really a style defining year for me. I took my personal style in a specific direction and couldn't be more pleased with it. I feel as I grow and mature I am figuring out more and more who I am and who I want to aspire to be as I get older. The preppy way of life and classic style is absolutely the road I want to take with my life and 2012 was the beginning of my journey down that road.

Overall I loved 2012 and really matured more than I have any other year. The incredible ups and downs this year has taken will never be paralleled by any other year. I climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower, tossed a coin in the Trevi Fountain, swam in the Mediterranean Ocean, made a 4.0, started a blog I am so passionate about, determined my personal style, made new friends, fell in love with my state/the South in general, turned 20 and became more independent than ever. It can only get better :)

Cheers to an amazing, healthy, happy and prosperous and even better 2013!!!

-Lanie W.

God Bless Us, Everyone

Can y'all believe it's Christmas Eve? This holiday season has flown by. I feel like I say that every year but it's true! This year we had a need for a change to distract from the loss of a loved one so my parents and brother and I are spending the holiday in a cabin nestled in the mountains of North Carolina.

I hope each of you has a lovely holiday filled with love and family. Take advantage of all the time you get to spend with your loved ones because you never know when it will be the last holiday you have with them. God Bless you all!

Remember the reason for the season! Merry Christmas! <3

-Lanie W.

Getting Snood-y

Snood. A funny word for a decades old trend. Once very popular in the 1940's and 50's the snood has come back in full force this fall and winter and I can't get enough! Scarves are an obsession of mine. They can turn an otherwise plain outfit into a major statement and come in so many different colors and textures. The best part is that they're available at so many different price points! From Target to Burberry the fashion world is embracing these beauties in their own unique way. Heres a few fun examples of some lovely ladies rocking this timeless trend:

Selena dresses her snood down with a cozy cardigan.

Blake looks fabulous in this classic Burberry plaid version.

Confession-Winter is my least favorite time of year. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas time but January through March just seems to drag on and on. Perhaps because my birthday is in April...but, I digress. The only thing that gets me through the dreary winter season is the fun cold weather clothing I get to wear! This year I have had one motto: the cozier and chunkier the knit, the better. The snood fits so perfectly into that category. With one of these babies around your neck you can face the chillest of January days. Here's a few of my top picks!

Have y'all jumped on the snood bandwagon? Can't wait to hear what you think of this cozy trend!

-Lanie W.

Christmas Wish List: Item #1

We've finally come to the number one item on my 2012 Christmas Wish List 5 part series! Classic/timeless items have been a running theme in my list this year but none more so than my first choice pick, Barbour. Just the word brings to mind a misty English country side, spaniels on the hunt and the crispness of autumn in the air.

The Barbour Ladies Utility Jacket. Swoon. This has to be the world's perfect jacket, hands down. From the rich brown corduroy collar, plaid lining, gold hardware and gorgeous olive waxed cotton exterior I could not love a jacket more. It looks amazing layered with just about anything and I can't stop dreaming about all of the outfits I could pair it with. Yet again this is an item that would get endless use and will never go out of style. Sigh.. Please Santa? I've been so good! ;)

If it's good enough for Princess Kate, it's good enough for me... hehe :)

Hope y'all enjoyed my Christmas Wish List Series! Let me know what's on your list this year!

-Lanie W.

Christmas Wish List: Item #2

I had a hard time deciding between my top two items. Both are items that I would use for years to come and that would never go out of style. I have held out from asking for this item for what feels like a long time now. Partly because I wasn't sure what color to choose, there are just so many options. Of course there are the classic black with the gold TB logo on the toe but I wear way too much navy for those to be practical in my every day wardrobe. Finally I settled on the camel leather.

They really are the perfect go-to ballet flat. Named after Tory's mother, Reva, these flats emulate the classic while also feeling current. They can be paired with absolutely everything from skirts to skinny jeans to dresses, and look great dressed up or down. I know that I would wear these shoes to death and probably never take them off. Not only are they beautiful but I really admire Tory Burch and her wonderful brand she has built in the past decade. Her vision for the company and her personal style are just perfect and I can't wait to hopefully get my very first Tory Burch item! 

Do y'all love Tory and her clothing as much as I do? Can't wait to hear your feedback!

-Lanie W.