Twas The Week Before Christmas

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Twas The Week Before Christmas

Style Blogger Courtney Rhodes

Courtney_Rhodes_Personal_Style

Twas the week before Christmas when every brandista was stirring, even the quiet ones! LOL! Sparkles, glitter, ivory with bling, everything black or gold with a touch of FIRE engine red here and there is how my personal style is showing up this holiday season. I style my outfits according to my mood- maybe this consistent style is a reflection of my obsession with things that shine brightly and are pretty; yet, manage to hold a sense of simplicity, or maybe not. Throughout the last two weeks, I’ve flaunted my fair share of gold tops, champagne skirts, black dresses, and glossy lips catching up with family and friends.

Of course, there are the fancy ‘smancy’ black-tie holiday parties, 2 pm tea dates, and the occasional dinner before the holiday party shenanigans we look forward to getting dolled up for this time of the year. I’m not sure how we’ve (myself included) come to packing in so many fireside chats and holiday mixing within such a short window of opportunity but we do, and I’m taking advantage of giving and receiving tons of love, hugs and holiday cheer.

Winding Down

As I’m hurriedly winding down my workload for the year, and full swing in planning mood for next year. I’m prioritizing time in between to catch up with as much of my tribe as humanly possible. The last few days have been a whirlwind of travel and parties that’ll continue through the new year.

I was in Jacksonville,  Mississippi last week and caught up with friends at a regional  holiday party at the Westin Friday night after losing myself in some delicious, smothered turkey necks (drenched in hot sauce-of course), mac and cheese, and cabbage.

YUMMY! We dined at a delicious authentic soul food spot called Bully’s.  A rather famous and sinfully delicious  soul food spot on Livingston Road.

You can take the girl out of the country, but never the country out of the girl.  On Saturday, we headed to Downtown Jackson to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and enjoyed a tour. It’s never easy but always necessary revisiting  African American History from slavery through the Civil Rights Movement.

The progression of those families in Mississippi and the strides they’ve made in spite of the horrendous conditions their families endured, is a miracle in itself. It’s extremely difficult seeing the faces and knowing the names of the victims that faced dehumanizing torture, hatred, and the unfathomable bigotry that shaped the period.

My visit served as a timely and extremely humbling reminder of my own history. It fueled something deep inside my soul. I’m recommitted to myself to forge forward being my absolute best self. I will push myself daily to intentionally do work that is reflective of my values.

Back Home

On Sunday, I was back in Atlanta and celebrated one of my closest friend’s birthday over champagne, a petit lobster pot pie, Georgia Bank scallops, and fried oysters at Atlas in the St. Regis. After dinner we headed to the bar area and danced our as$es off.

Tuesday, I met another friend at Atlas for for lunch and learned all about her year of becoming a certified yoga instructor, traveling and rediscovering herself after divorce as a single mom.

It never ceases to amaze how much we can continue to learn, support one another and evolve in our friendships. The more transparent and vulnerable we are with our friends, the deeper those relationships develop and the sooner we realize how parallel our journeys have been.

Jala arrived from NYC on Wednesday and of course, we celebrated her and another successful semester at Syracuse down. We had a country style seafood feast, admired our holiday decor and rocked to Merry Christmas by Mariah Carey and One Wish: The Holiday Album by Whitney Houston.

Hello Chicago

Yesterday, I flew to Chicago to handle some business and finish some holiday shopping.

Tody I met a girlfriend for lunch and took in the holiday decor downtown.  I threw on a beige below the knee pleated skirt, a gold off the shoulder sweater, my favorite Tom Ford over the knee boots (click for a similar pair) and a cropped little leather bomber number (dig deep enough, I’m sure you have one somewhere too). I’ve had the bomber for over ten years and wearing it still feels amazing!

Style is truly timeless.  I completed the look with a little Chanel crossbody, gold hoops, Bobbi Brown lip gloss, and a thankful heart.

The season has been busy with travel and will head out to Charleston, SC tomorrow to spend time with the family before heading to Charlotte, NC to hang with more familh.

I’m smelling the roses, being grateful for the people (you included), circumstances and blessings that continue to flow and thanking God every step of the way!

Similar Look Outfit Details:

Over the knee boots-  Nordstrom ‘Caterina’ Boots, Nordstrom- Jeffrey Campbell Thigh Highs, Nordstrom-Steve Madden Over The Knee Boot

Pleated Skirt- Nordstrom-Bobbi Pleated Midi Skirt, Nordstrom- Eliza J. Metallic Pleat Maxi Skirt, Nordstrom-Moon River Pleated Faux Suede, Nordstrom- City Chic Sheer Pleat Skirt

Bomber Jacket-Nordstrom Akris Leather Bomber, Nordstrom LaMargue Washed Leather Moto Jacket, Nordstrom City Chic Faux Leather Bolero

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