catching up...

So yeah. I'm still here. Just the busy Holiday retail season getting to me already! Whew!

The week after Halloween, Uptown merchants literally begin decorating their stores for Christmas since Uptown Holiday Open House weekend is always the second weekend in November. I feel like I just could not get it together this year {maybe because my full time help got another job so now I only have part time a few afternoons a week?}, but I did what I could and this past weekend was so much fun during Holiday Open House. So excited that everyone is already out and about shopping. I just love wrapping presents for sweet customers to place under their tree!

Here's a recap of how my week went last week...

It started off early morning Monday, Veteran's Day, when I hopped in the car with my sis-in-law and one of our bestest frands to head to Hotlanta. There was a cash & carry market that began on Tuesday and we decided to go on down Monday morning and make a two day shopping trip out of it. For me, I am so busy at the store (aka, practically live there) during the Christmas season, I really wanted to knock out as much of my own Christmas shopping before things really got crazy around here. We stopped at the outlets in Commerce and got tons for the kiddos and men, then I wanted to take them to the Ballard Outlet since Beth (friend that went with us) is building a house! We were all drooling over these barstools...

yet somehow I was the only one who walked out with a handful!?! Never fails. More on that later. We settled into the hotel and had an awesome relaxing "mamas night out" dinner at Azio before hitting the sack early. Tuesday morning it was up and at em' again for market. I wore my new Lilly Pulitzer Leona Zip Up in Navy that I had monogrammed. Absolutely love it. It's the most comfy piece in my closet now. I may live in it all Winter.

We had a really fun trip, didn't get home until 9pm that evening and we. were. exhausted. No lie I bet we walked a good 10 miles in two days. Have mercy, but we LOVE it. Shopaholics anonymous needed.

So the next few days I frantically tried to get the store ready for Holiday Open House. Along with reps coming in and ordering Spring styles...oh and taking Cade to the doctor with an ear infection...it was quite a week and even though I only managed to get ONE storefront window decorated, I've learned now as a parent that I just have to let my OCD go and some things may not be "done" or "perfect" for my big events. So what if I didn't have all of my decor out? Oh well, it looked festive enough and our shoppers certainly weren't coming in for the decor :) Maybe I'll finish soon, maybe I won't. 

All I know is that it took a lot of this to keep me going...

Sneak peek of our new Christmas window (I changed things up a bit this year). More pics coming soon!

Oh and while Holiday Open House was going on Saturday, I snuck next door to my sister's store, Voila, for a super fun "dress reveal party" for one of my bestest friends. Kelly (middle) and I were born three days apart (Jan 14th and Jan 17th). Our moms were bff and in the same hospital together just a few doors down from one another. How cool is that? We also lost our dads to sudden heart attacks within five years of each other. No idea why the Lord has led us down these paths, but we've always been by each other's sides. So of course I'm honored to stand by her side as a bridesmaid in her wedding next Fall and her dress is so gorgeous. So happy for her and Jared!

Back to Holiday Open House, this was the view outside of Sugar's front door each day. How gorgeous are the colors?

After a long day of work and fun Saturday, Chad and I headed to a couples baby shower for friends Steve and Carrie. I feel like I was just helping with Carrie's wedding two years ago and now they're having a BABY BOY! She's due the same week I was due with Cade. February babies. They were showered with so much love from friends and fam. It was a great time, even though we couldn't stay too long and had to pick up Cade asap (thanks Grami for keeping him all day)

I rocked out my favorite fur vest (Britt Ryan from 3 years ago), favorite leopard booties, and favorite new monogram necklace by Moon & Lola (booties & necklace from Blossom Shoes & Such). Blouse is Amanda Uprichard Highliner blouse in bone. We have the gorgeous ivory online here now.

Ok, so then I was REALLY excited about Sunday too. First I had to do a photoshoot that morning for Carrie & Steve (the ones having a baby boy) and their fam which turned out amazing, then I headed to Sugar for a fun photoshoot with THE Caitlin Covington. Her blog is Southern Curls & Pearls, instagram is @cmcoving and if you're not following along then you're missing out. She actually worked with my bff Beth at EP in Greenville, so I knew that connection and had talked to Caitlin before via email but was so excited to finally meet her (and her sweet mom). Everything went great and I'm sure the photos will be awesome for Sugar and Blossom. Be sure you check out her blog because there will be a fun giveaway soon too. Here's a behind the scenes sneak peek...

"That's a wrap". Here I am with the ladies of Blossom, Caitlin and her sweet mom! 

After a long weekend of fashion, christmas festivities and photoshoots, I wanted nothing more than to see (and hear) five sweet boys in firefighter hats with trucks last night at dinner with Mimi & Papa. They are loud and full of energy, but entertaining...always.

I have no idea what my child is doing and yes he's wearing shorts. Don't ask what happened to his pants! Lawd.

Remember to follow Caitlin's blog for fun post this week!