2012 in Rewind

2012 proved to be amazing year, challenging at times, but I would not change it for the world!!

Starting off the year with the most amazing 5 month old little girl!!!

Her first Easter!!

We celebrated two blissful years of marriage!!  I could not ask for a better husband!

We discovered we had a little fish on our hands!!!

My little sister graduated college!



First trip to the beach...well when it was warm!

OBX vacation and the longest car ride of my life!

Our little girl turned ONE!!!

Halloween at Milburn Orchards!

We found out Emily was going to have a little brother!

DISNEY!!



Christmas!!

I am so lucky and cannot wait to see what 2013 brings!



30 Days of Thanks - Days 8 to14

I cannot believe it is already mid-November.  This time of year flies and I continue to have more and more to be thankful for.

Day 8 - I am thankful to be able to help two children celebrate Christmas this year through the adopt a child at work.  My team has adopted two children and I am truly blessed to help!

Day 9 - I am thankful for Fridays, which mark the end of a crazy work week and two full days to spend with my spunky daughter and amazing husband. 
Day 10 - I am thankful for my friends.  I had a whole day off from being a "mommy" and went to the beach shopping with my friend.  It was a beautiful day and I just what I needed!!!

Day 11 - I am thankful my husband is handy around the house.  We have always lived in older houses, which require a lot of work.  Our new house is no different.  If you saw the green, blue and white walls in the family room where he ripped down wallpaper, you would understand.

Day 12 - I am thankful for all of vets who fight for our country.  I feel blessed to live in this country!

Day 13 - I am thankful for E's new sleep schedule.  Having her asleep by 8pm in her crib is a blessing in disguise!!!  I am able to spend a few hours doing stuff around the house or just relaxing watching some cheesy shows my husband despises :)

Day 14 - I am thankful for technology.  E was able to speak to both sets of her grandparents last night on Facetime. 

30 Days of Thanks - Day 1 through 7

In honor of Thanksgiving, I will be doing 30 days of thanks...7 days at a time.

Day 1
I am thankful for my family.  I would not survive without them.  I am so lucky to have such amazing in-laws as well.  We are so excited for our new addition in February!!!!

Day 2
I am thankful for a healthy pregnancy.  So far this pregnancy has flown by with no issues.  Praying for a non-eventful next 3 months :)

Day 3
I am thankful to have a job that helps put a roof over our head and food on the table.

Day 4
I am thankful for my grandmother and her health.  Everytime I see her, she teaches me something, mainly how to love unconditionally.  She is an amazing person.

Day 5
(this one is a little selfish)  I am thankful for coffee.  This has been a LONG week at work and poor little E has been sick, which means less sleep for us all.

Day 6
I am thankful for my amazing husband, who is also an amazing dad.  This week he has really picked up th slack since I have been working so much.

Day 7
I am thankful to live in this country.  Freedom.  Opportunity.  We know this does not come easy but if we work together, our country will prosper.  We need to stick together and help out all the Hurricane Sandy victims, especially with this Noreaster approaching.

Country Fashion

I think we can all agree that all 12 of Carrie Underwood's outfits were AMAZING!!!  I am not sure I can pick a favorite. 

Random thoughts:

• Does Hillary Scott ever NOT wear black?  We all know black is flattering but it is nice to change it up every once in a while.
• Jennifer Nettles is so cute...even 9m preg!!
• Kellie Pickler's bizz cut to support her friend was amazing!!
• Faith Hill is too skinny!!
• Luke Bryan is hot!

I'll end on that note :)

YAH FOR ME

Sometimes we (even us moms) need to take a step back and think about ourselves.  Today I have proven to myself and the world that us working moms and women in general can do it all.  Not only do I have a 15 month at home, another one on the way in February, but I also just got promoted at work.  I truly never thought this would happen.  In such a coporate field, sometimes us women fall short of truly being appreciated.  Today that is NOT that case (well at least not for me). 

I am lucky enough to work for a team that my hard work pays off.  All those late nights my husband had to put Emily to sleep, logging in from home, checking emails, etc...all seems worth it in the end.  I can multi-task!!  I can be a good mom and also work!!!  "I CAN" is the key word!!  Us women doubt ourselves too much.  We "HOPE" rather than "DO".

Now with that being said, I never want to miss out on my kids lives.  It is all about balance and support.  I am constantly working to better myself, which will be a continuous cycle.

BUT today is about me!  My accomplishments!  My happy little life :)

~Adrienne xoxo

The neverending ladder...

I work in a field dominated by men so I know what it feels like to climb the ladder SLOW.  Last week we had Tamara Jacobs come speak to our WIN Committee (Women's Initiative Network).  I was instantly drawn by what she was saying.  I always here people say "Be The Brand" but what does that really mean?  Do women and men need to brand themselves differently?

The first line of the the Girl Scout Promise is "On my honor, I will try".  The key word is "try".  From a young age girls are taught to try to do their best and hope it is good enough.  On the flip side, the Boy Scout Oath is "On my honor, I will do my best".  The key word here is "will". 

The funny thing is sometimes I find myself thinking "well if it works then good, if not oh well".  I try my best and hope that it gets noticed and appreciated.  The guy next to me does not try, instead he walks in a demands more money or a promotion.  He is looked at as strong but if a woman did that, they may be called the b word.

Should we accept this?  NO.  I truly believe there is a happy medium.  You do not have to be pushy and demanding but make your goals and objectives known.  If you sit back then year after year, that list of promotions is going to come out and guess whose name won't be on it?!?

Fact: Only 12 Fortune 500 Companies are run by woman.  2%

Even if there is only 12, these woman rock and should be role models for women everywhere.  Don't give up! 

Fabulous Friday - Fall Fun

Fall is quickly approaching and I am loving some of the new trends!!!

PATTERNS

Splendid London Stripe Jacket

Marc by Marc Jacobs Onyx Silk Top

Kate Spade New York Carnegie Hall Carlyle Satchel

GRAPHICS

Kate Spade New York Abstract Signature Bow Wool Scarf

LOW/ANKLE BOOTS

Rachel Roy Echo Boot

DV Dolce Vita Wedge Booties - Phillipa

TRENCHES

Burberry London Buckingham Trench

Sam Edelman Double Brested Trench

Happy soon to be fall :)

Adrienne

Fabulous Friday - Accessory Love

A pop of color in an accessory can make an outfit.  Think about it...an all black outfit with a chunky red bracelet or an all tan outfit with a chunky turquoise necklace.  If you did not have that pop of color, your outfit could still be chic but it will lack pizzaz!

Here are some of my favorite accessories:

A good piece of jewelry

Hot Rocks Vermeil Earrings Green Onyx



Kendra Scott Harlow Necklace in Turquoise

Kirra Tate Green & Pink Chandelier Earrings

*all jewelry can be found on laylagrace.com

Handbang or clutch

MARC BY MARC JACOBS 'Preppy Nylon - Sasha' Crossbody Bag

kate spade new york 'gold coast - lilou' satchel

Tory Burch 'Robinson' Envelope Wristlet

Happy Friday!!  xoxo

Would you rather...

I always have the argument about sweets vs. other "bad" food, so I thought we could play a game of "would you rather"...

eat ice cream or french fries (not fast food ones)

Me: Def french fries although I love cookies and cream ice cream

gym or run

Me: definitely run...rather run 5 miles than go to the gym

beach or adventure vacation

Me: Pre kids I would say adventure (i.e. Europe) but now I would like a relaxing beach vaca

cook or clean

Me: def clean

buy shoes or a purse

Me: Def buy a purse but I do love shoes

coffee or tea

Me: Coffee even though I should drink more tea

watch tv or read

Me: Depends - reading 50 shades now and the Olympics are over so I would say read

Let me know what you would rather do!!!



Bye Bye Olympics

I already miss the Olympics.  I have truly enjoyed coming home every night with something interesting on TV.  On the flip side, it will be nice to get to bed before midnight :)

A few of my favorite highlights:

The fab five winning gold



Kery and Misty winning their last medal together

Kirani James of Grenada exchanging bibs with Oscar Pistourius

Oh I will miss men's swimming



New fav women's swimming

Women's 4x100 WR breaking event

Congrats to everyone and I guess I will see you in four years :)

Miss you already...

When I was 9 years old, I was blessed with the BEST little sister anyone could ever ask for.  There was a pretty big age difference between us and I never thought we would be as close as we are today.  We even shared a room until I went to college.  Although at that point, I was more concerned with my high school dance or football game than my little 7 year old sister.  As she got older, we just got closer and closer. 

She is the not only my sister but my best friend and the godmother of my daughter.  She is the first person I run to tell exciting news.  But best of all, she knows how to make me laugh.  Whether it is by her freakishly long hugs or dancing around the house.  She also makes me a better person...more relaxed about life, more fun and of course more loving.

Little E is so lucky to have her as an aunt and godmother.  Lauren sat in the hospital with us the whole few days we were there AND also sat with me while I got my epidural (my husband was wandering around as usual haha).  We were so lucky to have her work up in our area this summer, so she was over our house a lot.

But now she is moving on into a new chapter in her life and moving to DC.  I am SO happy for her and I know this new chapter of her life will be fun and exciting.  BUT I am still allowed to miss her.  I will miss our Sundays hanging out over mom and dad's, her stopping up for dinner, and MOST of all her long hugs!  However, I look forward to her daily texts and our visits to DC.  I look forward to hearing about this new chapter in her life.

Lauren - Thank you for being such an amazing sister, friend, aunt, maid of honor, godmother.  We will miss you but enjoy every second of your new journey in DC.

Adrienne xoxo