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Can’t believe I almost forgot to publish my final weekly recap of 2021! I’m proud to have completed all 52 of these blog posts and am looking forward to doing it again in 2022—not only is it fun to share my outfits with all of you, but I love being able to keep this little journal to look back on in years to come. I had so much fun celebrating the holidays this week with friends and family and couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas!
Monday, December 20
I was super productive today and finished two blog posts, including a collaboration, before getting coffee with a high school friend in the afternoon. My mom, brother, future sister-in-law, and I spent the evening driving around town to look at Christmas lights! I didn’t think much of today’s outfit, but I was in a rush to get to my coffee date and just threw on a sweater and jeans.
Beige Sweater: Gap, $30, last worn here | Camel Coat: Macy’s, $240, last worn here | Skinny Jeans: JCPenney, $25, last worn here | Beige Booties: Sam Edelman via DSW, $70, last worn here
Tuesday, December 21
My family played a lot of Euchre today, and our good friends came over for dinner in the evening. I wanted to love this outfit but just did not feel confident in it at all… These pants used to fit me so perfectly, but now they are saggy in the crotch and tend to slip down. I also think this black turtleneck, which was a hand-me-down, is too big on me, and therefore unflattering. I ended up untucking it to cover up the droopy pants. This outfit was cute in theory, especially the shoes, but the fit just wasn’t right.
Black Sweater: Hand-me-down, last worn here | Houndstooth Pants: JCPenney, $19, last worn here | Blue Flats: Sam Edelman via DSW, $5, last worn here
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Wednesday, December 22
I’m bummed I completely forgot to snap a pic of my outfit today! I was proud to get all my Christmas shopping done early this year, but I did have to pick up a couple of items this afternoon that I had shipped to the store. I got back to the house just in time for another dinner with family friends. Between my grandpa, brothers, parents, and the other family, we had a Euchre tournament with two rounds of the card game going at all times! I also tried making vodka-soaked gummy bears for the occasion and let’s just say… they soaked way too long.
Thursday, December 23
We had a big pancake family breakfast, and then my brother, his fiancé, and I decorated Christmas cookies all afternoon. I drove out to my friend’s house in the evening to hang out with two of my best high school buddies! I hadn’t seen one of them since freshman year, so it was great to make pizza together and catch up.
Grey Mesh Sweatshirt: Dillard’s, $30 | Black Quilted Vest: JCPenney, $15, last worn here | Cargo Pants: JCPenney, $25 | Blush Sneakers: Steve Madden via DSW, $60, last worn here
Friday, December 24
I went sledding today with some of the fam and it was such. a. blast. I haven’t been sledding in years! Well, we haven’t really gotten snow like this in years, so it was exciting to have a white Christmas. I may look super sweaty in these sledding pics but it’s because my friend and I road down on the same sled, with me in front, and I got absolutely drenched in snow. Later in the night, to celebrate Christmas Eve, we all gathered round to watch The Christmas Chronicles. I have to admit, I didn’t have high hopes for this movie, but it was actually really cute—everyone enjoyed it, even my eldest brother and my grandpa.
Saturday, December 25
Christmas morn! I know some people like dressing up for the occasion, but I usually stay in my PJs all day. We started the morning with a small ‘first breakfast’ (we’re basically Hobbits) before exchanging gifts, Secret Santa-style. This was our first year doing Secret Santas, and I was worried it would be a bust… but thankfully everyone really enjoyed it! The big reveal of finding out the identities of our gift-givers was super fun. We then opened stockings and had our second breakfast. I spent the rest of the day lounging and playing Euchre, before a few of us walked around the Christmas light display at the local botanical gardens. I also took my infamous Elf on the Shelf photo in the afternoon—this is my fourth year doing it! I don’t really even know what Elf on the Shelf is, but one year I realized my pajamas looked very elf-like, and that’s how it all began. This year I decided to climb on the roof because I am running out of shelves in the house that will hold my weight.
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I didn’t do much today aside from finishing my packing for Scotland and playing more Euchre (I think I am Euchred-out now). Usually I think the day after Christmas is one of the worst days of the year, but for once I didn’t feel too bummed out. It really was a great holiday.
What was the highlight of your Christmas, if you celebrated? I hope you had a great week spent relaxing with family and friends, and as always, thanks for supporting my lil’ blog.
Miles of smiles,
Grace