Happy New Year [eve]! Welcome back! The last few years I have caught myself saying, “Where did this year go?” I am starting to believe this is what adulthood is like. The hustle and bustle of daily life keeps rolling by without even noticing. It’s not until the holiday season I begin to reflect on what the year was like.
2017 was a good year for Lexi & Lady. The blog had a facelift, I learned how to use WordPress, started social media accounts specifically for the blog (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’), implemented a newsletter (subscribe below), joined Style Collective (learn more), and grew!
In 2017 I set out to grow Lexi & Lady. Meaning increase my reach and add new and dedicated readers. What I didn’t realize is I would do more growing through learning new things in the world of blogging, “meeting” some great women through Style Collective’s sisterhood, and branching out into new topics (i.e. college advice). All this to say, blogging has given me an opportunity to grow personally, but I want to focus on cultivating a community. I want those who visit to feel like they’re getting valuable information and connecting with me and one another through comments here and on social media. There are so many wonderful and brilliant women who read my posts and I want them to connect with each other!
Before Christmas, I sat with my best friend and talked about Sequins & Things and how amazing Haley is and her envy worthy style. Neither of us realized the other one followed Sequins & Things until then. I always say “this blogger I follow…” because something they’ve done or shared has inspired me or made me think. I want you to tell people about Lexi & Lady and what post(s) inspire you. That’s how the community begins and grows! It is easy to share my posts on Facebook, retweet from Twitter, and tag me in Instagram posts and stories.
Touched a bit on this in my last random ramblings post (read here). Still not sure what my New Year’s Resolution will be, but I have a few more hours to think about it 🙂
Story time…I began working full time in Undergraduate Admissions in 2009 after working as a student ambassador during college. I loved helping students decide their future (their energy is infectious).
To achieve my career goals I left in 2012. I made this move to learn more about the enrollment management process (i.e. financial aid, advising, registration, etc.). While I learned a ton through this process I didn’t feel it was giving me the exposure I needed.
In a career rut I joined Continuing Education (i.e. workforce development) where I worked with and supervised some of the most amazing young women God could have put in my life. These 3 ladies changed my focus and reminded me of why I chose a career in higher education. From this realization forward I knew I needed to get back to my passion. My passion has always been serving students and helping them achieve their educational goals. In order to do that I needed to have a larger reach, a bigger voice, and I didn’t have that in my current role.
When I was approached about applying for a new position I never hesitated. Deep down I always knew I left where I was meant to be career wise, but I made the most of my time and learned a lot. I’m happy to say as of the new year I will be reunited with Admissions. Not only am I excited to work with some familiar faces, but with a whole group known as the A-Team. More importantly, I’m back to working alongside one of my original partners in crime. I look forward to this next chapter in my higher ed career!
Gosh there is still so much growing to do in my personal life in the new year. We are all a work in progress right? I am SO blessed to have my biggest supporter and best friend by my side. The hubs is always pushing me to achieve things. He’s one of the reasons I keep sharing here. I want to continue to grow our love and be his cheerleader. Together we will continue our journey to becoming debt free (read more here and here), being healthy, connecting with others through friendship and fellowship, and checking off places on our travel bucket list! (Helloooooo, Colorado in a few days!)
What is your 2018 New Year Resolution(s)? Leave them in the comments below. I’d love to hear what your plans are! Until next post…xoxo Becca
Disclaimer: I was approached by Wayfair to put this post together, however I am not being compensated or receiving commission on your clicks or purchases of any of the products mentioned.
This time of year there are endless holiday parties and gatherings; Thanksgiving, Christmas, work parties, cocktail parties, ugly sweater parties (which I despise so please don’t invite me lol), and of course New Year’s parties. Most of us end up spending a lot of time with family and friends we may not see regularly. The sparkle and shine of the holiday season is magical, but it doesn’t have to be reserved for late-November until January 1!
As a girl who loves to host events, I can tell you there are a million and one ways to continue that sparkle and shine throughout the year. For example, the hubs and I used to have a weekly game night with friends. We would keep it simple with dinner (and dessert of course) and a favorite card or board game. It took little effort to gather friends in one place and enjoy each others company and some laughs.
If a full meal isn’t your style or you are not comfortable whipping up a gourmet meal that’s ok. Putting together a charcuterie and cheese board, like the one pictured above, or a few appetizers (see my Pinterest appetizer board) is also a great way to “break bread” with those you care about.
The dinnerware, drink ware, and serving dishes and trays I like best are modern and usually white, wood, or glass. It’s just what I gravitate towards because it can be mixed and matched for every day and every holiday use. To make your year-round entertaining even easier I picked out a few items from Wayfair that may come in handy.
What are your favorite ways to add sparkle and shine year-round? Comment below! Until next post…xoxo Becca
 Hammersmith Fruit Bowl |
 Johanna 13in Three Bowl Entertaining Set |
 12 Piece Mini Dessert Set |
 Old Hollywood Round Marble Serving Tray |
 IEnjoyware 3 Piece Porcelain Serving Platters |
 Kona Wood Rectangular Platter |
 Hammered Silver Tray |
 Wayfair Basics Glass Beverage Dispenser |
 Acapulco 89.5oz Pitcher |
 Russo Short-Handled Cheese Board |
 Vanilla Fare Cake Stand |
 Madiun Dessert Pedestal |
 Arezzo Cake Stand |
 5.25in Square Rim Plate |
 Personalized Golden Cake Serving Set |
 Wayfair Basics 12 Piece Assorted Stem Glass Set |
Becca
born and raised Texan
Hi all and welcome to my cozy little place in the blogosphere. My name is Becca and I'm a born and raised Texan. After college I got married. Got a puppy. Got a house. And then I decided I wanted to share daily life, struggles, ambitions, and everything in between.
