It’s been almost a week since New Year’s Eve.
This morning, as I was cleaning up the camera roll on my phone, I came across the pictures I took that night. We had so much fun ringing in the new year! I love the way the new year holds so much promise and inspires us to be our best.
I haven’t always celebrated New Year’s Eve, as I usually prefer sleep over partying. But for the past few years, I’ve discovered that I love a good New Year’s celebration. Although I don’t always go out, I do stay up late to ring the new year in with people I love. I always wear something sparkly-even if the sparkles are accessorizing sweatpants. I make the effort. Sometimes just making the effort creates memorable events.
These are the highlights of my New Year’s Eve 2018….
I started the day by doing my own manicure. I had planned to get my nails done, but decided to save the money for later, as I couldn’t commit to sparkly gold nails for more than a few days. The glitter nail polish came from the Dollar General. How awesome is that?
I also tried out a fantastic face mask that was in my stocking from Santa. Everything gold for New Year’s Eve! One of my goals for this year is to take better care of my skin.
A little known fact about me… I have tattooed eyeliner!
I kind of waited until the last minute to choose an outfit for New Year’s Eve. I’m always bad about choosing outfits in advance. I have to see what I’m feeling on that very day. Check out this adorable Ren top from Stella & Dot. It’s so soft and perfect to dress up or down. And YAY! This is the replacement for the GiGi New York purse that was stolen at a Christmas party. The new one has my new monogram.
I wore my new Mignonne Gavigan earrings that were a gift from Eric. I’ve wanted these for a whole year! The bracelets are both Stella & Dot, as well. I’m still a Stella & Dot stylist and I’m still obsessed! The Jasper beaded bracelet and coordinating necklace are still on sale! Make sure to check out the Stella & Dot sale items. There are so many good markdowns and sale items go quickly!
That afternoon, I made champagne cupcakes. This is my second year making those. It’s definitely becoming a tasty tradition! Maybe because it gives me an excuse to sip sparkling wine while baking? Whatever the reason, they were SO good!
Of course, I took most of the cupcakes to my parents and my sister because my waist line did not need 24 cupcakes! I had a little sparkling wine at my sister’s house. My brother-in-law, being the nut he is, poured mine into a dessert glass to mimic my obsession with the coupe glasses I got for Christmas. I do love him. He’s the brother I never had!
By the time I got home, it was time to get ready to go out. Eric came down from Raleigh to pick me up. We snapped a few pictures before we left. This is Little’s first New Year’s Eve! He needed a gold bow tie, don’t you think? He’s so handsome.
We went to Barrique in downtown Goldsboro for their New Year’s Eve party. Eric’s best friend and his girlfriend joined us. The food (and the company) were fantastic! One of my former students was our waiter. It was the perfect night!
We started with a champagne toast (note the coupe glass!)
You know when I’m having fun because my mouth is always wide open!
It was such a fun night. We danced and we laughed.
Sometimes, you have to make the effort.
You have to make the fun happen. I’d been sick all week with some type of miserable virus and could have easily just gone to bed early. But I’m glad I showed up. So many times in life, you just have to show up. As a former flaky person who used to cancel everything, I’ve worked really hard on “showing up” and it’s been worth it.
I wish all of you much happiness in the new year! May you be inspired to be the best version of yourself. No perfection needed. Just show up and make the most of what 2019 brings!
