a new year, a new beginning

Happy New Year! I know, I know, I know.... why have a waited so long to post? I really wanted to post on January first. I really did. Instead, I took the first couple days of the new year to organize my thoughts and figure out what direction I wanted to take my blog. While I am still uncertain of all the new content I will be posting, I do have big ideas. First, let me tell you my resolutions. I am a big fan of the "clean slate" the new year has to offer, maybe it is because I accomplished all my goals I set for 2014. 

Travel more // In 2014, I had the opportunity to travel to many new places. I am so grateful for those chances to explore. However, I have learned that I do not need a plane to discover new places. I am hoping to take advantage of the destinations surrounding me while also, hopefully, having the chance to travel abroad more. 

Learn to cook // My family has never been huge on cooking and so I am hoping to teach myself how to cook gourmet meals (ya know, not just mac and cheese). Since I will be on my own this fall, it is a skill I need to learn before I leave home. Plus, maybe even some cooking recipes on the blog?! :)

Be positive // Many times I catch myself complaining and being so negative about situations. I want to work on spreading positive vibes not only in my everyday activities but also to other people. There is no reason for me to be negative because I have a wonderful God who takes of all my needs. 

So those are just a few of my many resolutions. I mean, there are always things you can work on to make yourself a better person, right? Anyways, I went to Columbia for a shopping trip and I fell in love with the city. I know it is similar to Augusta but it has some of my favorite stores and some really neat restaurants. I had no idea what to wear this day until I received a text from my friend saying "wear a tee, skirt, and black tights". Boom... this is what I came up with from that description. 

 JACKET // TEE (similar) // SKIRT // TIGHTS // SHOES // BAG 

thankful + new hair

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope all of you are enjoying this beautiful Thursday and spending time feasting with the ones you love. Currently, I am in Alabama spending the holiday with family. God has blessed me so much over the past year and I couldn't be more thankful! However, I need a major nap right now after stuffing my face with so much food... (I also need a nap to prepare for a late night filled with shopping ;)). What are your plans for the evening? Before I go shopping, I may go see the new Dumb and Dumber movie. It is a family favorite and I am so excited to see the second one!! 

p.s. I died my hair :P I am slowly trying to achieve an all ash blonde color and I may go for a little ombre in December. Kinda feeling like Elsa from Frozen right now lol. 

Sweater: Blue Door Boutique (similar) | Leggings: H&M (love these) 

| Boots: Free People 

Make sure to check out these Black Friday deals!!!

American Eagle: 40% off everything + free shipping

Boohoo: 24% off everything

Loft: 50% off everything

Nordstrom: Up to 40% select sale items

Tory Burch: Up to 30% off 

xoxo, jg

autumn weddings

 Recently, I went to my cousin's wedding and I had so much fun! The wedding was a country chic theme and it was darling. The venue was a rustic barn, which fit the theme perfectly. I enjoyed snapping a few photos outside the barn before the wedding started. Okay, so I know I probably shouldn't have worn black to a wedding but 1. it was a fall wedding aka wear dark colors and 2. I wore colorful tights to make up for it :) :) :) I literally just threw this outfit together while packing for the wedding and I couldn't be happier with the result. I like the edgy look of the shoes mixed with the more feminine pearl and lace details. Every girl needs the perfect little black dress and I purchased mine from sheinside.com. 

Dress: She Inside | Belt: Target | Necklace: Final Cut (love this) | Tights: Target

| Purse: MK Fulton Margo Satchel | Earrings: Kendra Scott | Shoes: Steve Madden (similar)

october 31

I wasn't originally planning to do a Halloween post but last minute I threw a costume together with some friends and it turned out looking pretty awesome! I spent a total of $5 on this costume and that was for the hair dye (total fail by the way). I wanted to be Snow White so I could dye my hair black but as you can see it turned out more of an ashy brown color. The whole outfit was simple to put together: yellow maxi skirt, white button down, blue tank top, red cape, and a red ribbon. I'd like to say my dwarfs look pretty spiffy too :). 

Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween! Oh, and Happy November! ;)