Christmas Ideabook 2014

Before I begin, I want to reiterate the fact that Christmas is not about the presents: it is about our faith and Christ's birthday, spending time with family, the "authentic time" with those closest to you, the holiday smells & apple cider, giving, and JOY! And I also think that it is extremely easy to get caught up in the materialistic side of the holiday. This side is fun though... I love shopping and opening presents, wearing new outfits and playing with the newest techy gadgets.

So please don't take this post the wrong way, my intention is solely to have fun inspiring each other in our whimsical wish lists, and dreaming about the possibilities of perfectly wrapped presents filled with surprise and excitement under the tree.

I've also linked these products below for your convenience. This way, it's extremely easy to access these items and share them with family!
"*" marks that I either own this item or know that I am receiving it for Christmas. I want you to get an honest recommendation of the product. I would feel guilty recommending something to you that I do not like, wouldn't use myself, or that doesn't live up to its following (i.e. it is not as good as what one would assume it to be!).

Barbour Beadnell Jacket*

Hunter Original High Gloss Boot*

Tory Burch 'Caroline' Flat

J. Crew Excursion Quilted Vest*

Kate Spade New York Gold Watch*

Kate Spade Bow Leather Gloves*

Barrington St. Anne Tote in Black Watch*

Kate Spade Bow Puffer Jacket*
(almost sold out... select sizes available)

Creme Patagonia Pullover 

(note: I actually have this pullover in other colors and I adore them!  This cream color however is my absolute favorite!)

Frye Melissa Button Boot*

L.L. Bean Boots*

Monogram Bangle*

Kate Spade Darla Keychain Wallet - Navy*

Talbot's Toggle Coat - Nutmeg*

J. Crew Majesty Peacoat*

Large Lonchamp Le Pilage Tote*

Jack Rogers Marianne Bootie*

Kate Spade Mini Maise Crossbody

Kate Spade Mini Maise Keychain*

Kate Spade Seaport Pearls*

Lilly Pulitzer Murfee Scarf

I hope you enjoyed this post and got some inspiration for this upcoming Christmas! If you have any questions or comments on these items, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'd love to help in any way I can. Also, please share with me some of your fun wish lists, I'd love to be a part!

Please remember the true meaning of Christmas by keeping Christ as the center of your Christmas. Give this season. Pray this season. Love this season. I know how easy it is to get caught up in the materialistic side of this holiday, so it is extremely important to recognize these tendencies in attempt to prevent ourselves from taking this "materialistic-ness" to far.

xoxo,

Sarah Beth

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! This year, I am overflowing with gratitude for all of the blessings in my life from family to opportunity to this special space and its impact on my life in such a short period of time. I want to thank each and every person who has joined me as I find my place in this world and as I navigate this foreign path. I am down in beautiful Naples, Florida for this holiday season, so although it's chilly here, it beats the FREEZING in Nashville.

I have so much to give to this space, and I cannot wait for all the joy and excitement coming up in this space. I know that I have been away for quite sometime, but what can I say? Life gets crazy. My plan is to really start to step it up a notch in the blogging department after my mid-term exams (16-19th of December). Until then, I will try to write some fun and entertaining posts and share with you some upcoming milestones in my life: getting my driver's license, picking out a car, etc.

I am also *hopefully* getting a camera for Christmas that will also enable to add the proper touch to my blog.

I hope you and yours have a TURKEYific Thanksgiving!

•••
Whimsical Wishlist

Now that Black Friday sales are upon us, Christmas shopping is in full swing, and we are all on internet during this holiday, take a look at some of the items that I am lusting over for this season:

Excursion Quilted Down Vest • Light Amethyst 

Pale Pink J. Crew Vest Okay, so I guess it's confession time: I actually splurged on this vest yesterday and I am literally the happiest gal because of it. I don't know what exactly it is about this color but it truly speaks to me! You will be seeing this vest soon. (I actually have a thing for vests in general as my collection keeps growing larger and larger!!)

Kate Spade Surprise Sale Kate Spade is my absolute favorite, so her surprise sales are right up my alley. Check it out here! It's great for Christmas gifts.

Gold Tone Monogrammed Filigree Bangle Bracelet

Gold Cut-Out Monogram Bangle Bracelet I have been lusting over this bracelet for quite some time (and hopefully, this will be mine this Christmas!). It's also fairly inexpensive for custom jewelry which is always a plus.

What I Bought with some of my Birthday Money:

The St. Anne Tote • Blackwatch

Blackwatch Plaid Barrington  "The St. Anne Tote" I went back and forth over this purchase for quite some time. Blackwatch is by far my favorite plaid and I knew that I would use this tote religiously, but I wondered if it would be too restricting and not versatile?!?! I think I will use the tote like a third arm, so stay tuned for some outfit posts (and perhaps a lookbook featuring). It's also embossed with my initials, so it's #perfection. I am so excited for this new addition to my borderline "bag lady" obsession of mine!

As always, thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving filled with this big theme of "authentic family time" that I am overcome with this season. 

xoxo,

Sarah Beth

New Feature

Much to come in this upcoming week and a MAJOR apology for my MIA, but a new feature has been added to the blog: bloglovin' . Please follow away!


xoxo,
Sarah Beth

Organizing Crazy

As my schedule starts to lighten up a bit, I thought I would write a quality post to end this terribly long drought. What more appropriate topic than some wonderful resources to organize it all??

Available here.

Not only is this notepad from Jonathan Adler absolutely adorable, but it is oh so practical into what I call "blueprinting" your week. It is a great way to strategically game plan the week ahead of you out. I sit down and chicken scratch sketch my week onto one of these sheets on Sunday nights, as it keeps me on top of all the craziness in the upcoming week.

Available here.

I also use this notepad religiously to keep things straight. With a things to-do and things to remember section, I love that on one small piece of paper I can see my agenda for the day! :-) I keep this slipped into my agenda for easy access, plus it is an easy way to jot things down without having to open up the sometimes bulky agenda.

Made just for you from me!
Perfectly sized for your phone's wallpaper or ideal for
printing on a little card for your bathroom mirror!

This positive affirmation is something I write in the margin of my agenda each week. Come mid-breakdown, when I am swamped with crazy, or feeling really down, I read it, and most of the time, I completely try to deny it. But it is true!!!!!! Often times in life, we feel inadequate, incapable, and unworthy, but regardless of a test grade, an injury, our flaws, or anything not so wonderful about us, this statement is true. WE ARE ADEQUATE, CAPABLE, AND WORTHY OF GREAT THINGS! A post on my positive affirmations will be soon-to-come!

Some other tips:

• I despise the cluttered look of post it notes, but sometimes - more often than not - they are the most successful method of staying sane! I love to put them on assignments with notes and due dates, so I remember all the little things I'm liable to forget!

• Another tip is to prioritize all that you do! I also blueprint everyday. Here's how:

-I take the list of all my homework assignments that need to be completed.

- then other things: ex. order this, mail that, call this person, etc.

- then appointments, after school activities, commitments, etc.

THEN it's time to prioritize. This is putting your to-do's in between the gaps in your schedule. I've gotten better at this, and I almost have it down to a science!

Comment if you want me to break this down in a blog post!

• One last tip, THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT. We often get caught up in all the stress and happenings that are "so important." But remember that you only get one life, and you must live it. So laugh at all the imperfections and mistakes, take your homework and commitments seriously, but not at the expense of your happiness. Make sure to smile and laugh everyday. 

Hope this post helped you to mentally strategize in attempt to prevent overcome that next all-nighter.

xoxo,

Sarah Beth