2013 In ONE Picture...

HAPPY NEWS YEARS EVE Y'ALL!!

While pursuing the Twittersphere on Sunday night - and doing anything to avoid talking about the Bears game (oh, see ya later football season) I saw Erin  and Jena post about linking up with 1 picture of 2013 and I loved loved the idea :)

Below is my picture that describes 2013 - in a nutshell:

CRAZY. BEST FRIENDS. WEDDING. BLESSED. AMAZING. EXHAUSTING. BEAUTIFUL. BRIDAL PARTY. 2013. SUMMER OF THE WEIDNERS. BRIDESMAID. FRIENDS. FOREVER. SPOILED. DRANKS. PARTY. BACHLORETTE. PRETTY PARTY PEOPLE. DANCE MOVES. CHAMPS. MADNESS. STUPID CRAZY BEAUTIFUL LOVE.

One of my best friends got married this past summer and it was amazing. Lots of fun events meant spending the majority of my summer with all my favorite people.

I am incredibly blessed with the people in my life and although they drive me crazy ;) I couldn't live without them.

Here is to an even better 2014 - I cannot wait to see what next year brings :)

<3 Jilly Anne

Last Weekend of 2013 - and it was a good one.

The past 8 days have felt like one long weekend and I am NOT complaining one bit. Vacation and Christmas all rolled in to one is amazing and I am feeling pretty relaxed, although I am still not wanting to go back to work on Thursday.

This weekend was pretty great - pretty typical run down:

Jenny sent me this pic from Christmas Eve - the only one we took and I love it.

The girls came over for some DIY after Christmas and we attempted to make some make up brush holder and by attempted I mean.. Failed miserably. More on that later this week...

Pinterest: 1 Us: 0

After our Pinterest fail, we decided to watch Courtney Loves Dallas - which is my favorite show EVER right now, thanks Chrissy for telling me all about it. We even Texas poofed my hair like hers.

I picked up a new lip color - babylips - which I love. Its perfect for everyday.

I am late on the babylips train but I am now a believer and can't wait to try all the other colors.

Friday night I spent with my favorite babes - the twins, playing with their new Christmas presents. 

Let me tell you, it is very difficult to explain to a 16 month old that you cannot run over your brother - she didn't get it. Or she ignored me and thought it was funny. Probably the latter.

Selfie with my Nathan James

Saturday was Winter Wonderland Party complete with chevron straws - i die. Too cute.

And there were Keg stands. At 2am - we are too old for that crap LOL

Which leads to XXX Vitamin Water and a lovely hangover to start my Sunday.

I used all my Christmas money to finally order the Hunter Boots I have had my eyes on for a year now - better late than never. Free Shipping on their US website. I am so pumped for these to come in!

I will be enjoying the rest of my vacation and partying with my favs for NYE. What do you ladies have planned? Stay safe and enjoy y'all!

<3 Jilly Anne

Last Social of 2013

Can you believe this is the last weekend of 2013 - I feel like a lot of my blogs lately have started with "Can you believe" but seriously this year FLEW by. I have really come to love this link up and it is my favorite way to wrap up the weekend -

1. What is the best New Years Eve you’ve ever had?
Honestly, I have never had an amazing NYE, but I have had a few with good friends and good drinks. I would say those are my favorites. Just put me in a room with my besties and wine. Perfection.
(Sidenote: I did have a very ghetto NYE once, in Dekalb IL, sometimes the worst ones make the best stories)

2. Are you doing anything for NYE this year and if so what?
My bestie and her hubs are having a party - Low key with games, booze, and my best friends.

3. Name a book we should all read come January?
Heaven is for Real - I read this entire book on a 4 hour plane ride and it was amazing. Really renewed my faith, and made me want to be a better Christian. 

4. What are your new years resolutions?

Like always, I want to be healthier and work out more but I am committing to myself in 2014. Also, I want to have a good running year - 10 5k's and a 1/2 marathon. Here I come!!

#exactly

I hope you all have an amazing NYE and a happy start to 2014!!!

Happy New Years

<3 Jilly Anne

Christmas Hangover

Ladies, Hope you all had an amazing Christmas - I have been off work and just enjoying every second of this holiday season.. But honestly, can you believe Christmas is already over?? There is always such a build up and then it's over so quick (thats what she said?) just kidding.. Moving on....

Here are my best 5 for the week, although this was hard to break down to just 5 things, let me tell ya.

Cousins Christmas Tradition @ Lincoln Park Zoo Lights

My Parents Christmas Tree - Its so magical

A little last minute shopping at Gander Mountain - I am such a hunting girl... Not.

Christmas Eve gifts - so loving my simple addiction jewels

Dear Keurig, you complete me.

I have never drank so much coffee in my life, and I love it.

Few more days of vacay and spending time with my favorite people. Cannot wait, have a great weekend y'all.

<3 Jilly Anne

Merry Christmas Y'all!!

Hello Y'all... Just wanted to stop by really quick and wish all my followers a very 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I hope you all enjoy a day surrounded by the ones you love.

<3 Jilly Anne

CHRISTMAS SOCIAL

Good Morning Y'all and Happy Sunday!! Can you believe Christmas in only 3 days away!!! I am so excited I cannot stand it - I am heading to Chicago today for a full on Christmas Girls sleepover with my cousin - Zoo Lights, Ice Skating, Hot Chocolate - the works! But first things first.. This weeks questions:

1. What is your favorite holiday season tradition?
Chicago with my cousins - as stated in the beginning - girls night in the city. We hit up the Christkrigle Mart, Ice Skate in Millennium Park, eat way to much and then finish it off with a sleepover. I cannot wait!

2. Do you have a certain holiday movie you watch more than others? If so what is it?
The Santa Claus - I have always loved this movie - mainly because of Tim Allen.. But this is the perfect movie for the holidays - plus it is on almost every night!

3. Show us your favorite decoration or Pinterest decoration you wish you could have.
Next year, I am coming for you.

4. What is your favorite holiday song?
All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey #nocontest #bestsongever

5. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Christmas cookies - I love making them, eating them, and decorating them :)

6. What is on your wish list this year? See post from yesterday - but I really want a Kate Spade Beau Bag - I will be saving Christmas money like crazy this year for this beauty!!

Enjoy Ladies

<3 Jilly Anne

Santa Baby...

Since I hear - quite often - that I have Champagne wishes on a Beer budget, I thought I would leave it up to good ole St. Nick and his elves to bring me some of my ridiculous expensive overpriced never gonna happen gifts. Fingers crossed ladies ;)

So now, I will just wait patiently for Christmas morning and see what happens - Mr. Claus, you have my address.

Merry Christmas Y'all!!

<3 Jilly Anne

*5 on a Friday*

Oh Friday - it is so good to see you, especially as this is the last Friday I have to work in 2013!!! And it is the last Friday before Christmas!! This day is already pretty great!

This was a pretty fun filled week but there were a few I can pick out that were really special

--ONE--

Christmas Lane in Kenosha

Old Orchard Mall - All Christmas'd out!

Finally seeing some major Christmas Lights - I know I wrote about this yesterday but this is seriously the highlight of most Christmas seasons - grab some spiced wine, gloves, and loved ones - BOOM - Christmas tradition all wrapped up in a lovely magical bow.

--TWO--

My awesome new coat - Kenneth Cole - Originally $420 - Got it on sale for $119 - And it's amazeballs. Best winter coat ever.

--THREE--

I celebrated my 1 year anniversary at work about 3 weeks ago which was very exciting, I cannot believe it has already been a year! I have learned so much and as much stress as this place brings me... I also love it. I do work with some pretty cool people as well, and that always helps. This was part if my gift - my personalized cup - pretty cool right? Okay maybe I am just a big packaging dork - but I thought it was pretty cool.

--FOUR--

Since I was in the city this past weekend for work - I got a chopped salad from Portillos. This is a staple in Chicago and if you ever visit you must go. They are famous for thier Italian Beefs and hot dogs, but thier chopped salad is to die for. Living in WI, the closest one in over 45 minutes away so when I am in Chicago I go there no matter what.

--FIVE--

One of our vendors at work sent us an Elf on the Shelf book & kit! And since no one here wants it - I get to take it home! I understand I do not have kids but I can totally punk Kalen with it LOL. Sneaky little Elf, what to name him??!?

I hope you all have a very happy weekend and are getting ready for Christmas!! I will be doing lots of last minute shopping this weekend! ENJOY!

<3 Jilly Anne

The Week Before Christmas Happenings

Can you believe that this time next week Christmas will be over? I know I am getting ahead of myself (especially with all the fun coming up) but that is crazy ..... 2013 is just flying by! This week I have been to Canada, celebrated Christmas 2x and it's only Thursday, which BTW means 48 hours til my 10 day vacation - can I get an AMEN!!??!!

Monday I flew to Canada to do a year end wrap up with our customers to the north - Toronto is a quick 54 minute flight - with On Demand might I add - and so its not too bad. The 2.5 hour drive home from the airport that night wasn't fun at all #thankswinter #chicagosnow

Peppermint Mocha with Mini Candy Cane Sprinkles

We tried poutine while I was there - delish.

cheese curds-french fries - gravy #yum

 

Tuesday - Girls Night (CHRISTMAS STYLE) - we played with the twins and watched them open presents and dance and laugh. They are at such a fun age, I love it :) roomie got super creative and made all of us these adorable mugs personalized. I am a sucker for a good monogram so I am in love!!

Cutest right

 

Finally Wednesday Night - Roomie Christmas. Ever since Kalen and I moved to Kenosha, we have talked about visiting Christmas Lane during the holidays. It is this adorable street across from our condo where the neighbors go all out with decorations and even Santa visits from time to time. So last night we put on lots of layers, grabbed some adult beverages, and headed over. Christmas lights make you feel like a kid all over again - I love them, they are seriously magical.  We stopped and snapped a few pics and even got a candy cane from Santa.

 

Best House on the Block - So many lights and they even played music!

Kalen checking out the Christmas windows :)

Warm and Snug in my awesome new coat - oh and some Cran-Beer-Ita

#tistheseason

 

Roomie Christmas Pic!!

 

Yes, no big deal - I met Santa

 

We headed home and exchanged presents, where I was very happily surprised with Benefit's "Yes, they're Real" mascara and other adorable things which I will share later this week. All in all Christmas 2013 has been pretty great :)

LOVE LOVE - They seriously make my eyes pop!!

 

Also - got Kalen the silver antlers she wanted to bad - which was great! I am so happy she liked them :)

Now all I have to do is get through 2 days of work and then I have 10 days off!!! EK - I am so excited to do nothing and yet be too busy to breathe - in so many good ways!

<3 Jilly Anne