Cru Cafe

Happy Monday readers!

I hope you had a great weekend! I took a little needed blog break last week. I had social obligations almost every  night and the thought of writing blog posts on top of them was just too overwhelming. I'm excited to be back in my groove this week!

Did y'all have a good weekend?

Mine was great! I took a personal day on Friday to unwind after my busy week. I logged a run in the morning, and then headed to the pool with a girlfriend for the rest of the day! That night, we had an impromptu double date night with our friends Emily and Frank. We both had planned to stay in, cooking our Blue Apron miso-glazed wings, so we decided to combine food and forces to enjoy the night together! Saturday I headed to a baby shower for Bryce's cousin and that night we had a date night. We decided to take a chance getting a seat at the bar of our favorite date night spot, Edo's Squid, and were pleasantly surprised when a prime table by the window was available sans reservations! Yesterday we went to brunch and then headed to my coworker Joanne's to celebrate her sweet baby boy Oliver's 1st birthday. After the party we had leftovers for dinner and went for a nice long walk. It was the perfect weekend in my eyes--a great mix of fun with friends, as well as downtime!

Today I am excited to be sharing one of the highlights of my Charleston trip with you: Dinner at Cru Cafe.

After a big trip, I am always overwhelmed by the the amount of pictures and activities to share here on the blog, but this meal was absolutely amazing, and a "must post" for sure!

Thanks to the recommendation of Ashley of Sweet Southern Prep, we decided to visit Cru Cafe. This restaurant is a secret gem in Charleston and a little bit off the beaten path! Erin (my bestie and travel buddy-see her blog here) and I had both hit some of the big Charleston hot spots on past visits, so we were excited to try a new place! Meg of the blog Borrowed Heaven, also joined us and it was certainly a meal and experience to remember!

When you arrive at Cru, you automatically feel like you are sitting down to dinner in a close friend's home. The atmosphere is casual and bright. 

I loved the giant whisk mounted above this bar seating area 

that is open to the kitchen!

After getting comfortable and taking a few sips from your beverage of choice, prepare to be amazed by the drool worthy menu! Cru has a great selection of classic Southern fare, tailored to the freshest low country ingredients available, as well as an eclectic mix of additional menu items with Asian and Caribbean influences.

I was delighted to be eating with Erin and Meg, who both wanted to try as many different items from the menu as I did! We decided to order quite the assortment of small plates, sides, and entrees to sample quite a bit of the menu.

Service was also impeccable! Our waiter was so friendly and had great knowledge of the menu. The chef, coincidentally named Erin, was also fabulous! She came out to speak with us multiple times: sharing both her story, as well as the history behind Cru. We were delighted when she sent out the amuse-bouche above as a surprise! It's tough to find shrimp that lovely or tasty outside of the low country!

Next up, we couldn't resist sharing the four cheese macaroni! If you've read my bio on the sidebar, you know I am quite the mac and cheese lover...and this baked cheesy goodness did not disappoint! 

As the last of our starters, we shared the Seared Nantucket Scallop small plate, which came with spatzle, Italian sausage, and shrimp. Scallops might be my absolute favorite shellfish and these were oh so tasty!

For entrees, I chose the Shrimp Special du Jour (when in Charleston, right?); Meg chose the Grilled Basil Shrimp Pasta, and Erin chose the General Tsos Brussel Sprouts and Truffle Parmesan Fries.

After all of our indulging, I was glad to choose something a bit on the lighter side as my entree. Arugula is hands down my favorite salad green and I didn't feel like I was sacrificing any flavor by going with a lighter option!

Meg's pasta was comfort food at its finest! I'm a sucker for orecchiette, and this was filled with peas, mushroom, basil, and shrimp, all in a cheesy, creamy sauce! Yes, please!

Erin's fries were also a treat and were served with a yummy aioli!

Finally, we were blown away by the General Tsos Brussel Sprouts. They were cooked perfectly and literally tasted just like General Tsos Chicken! 

With full bellies, we snapped a picture in the kitchen with Chef Erin before leaving!

Cru Cafe is most definitely a "MUST" when it comes to Charleston eats! I cannot wait to take Bryce on our next trip!

To check out some of my other favorite Charleston dining experiences, check out my "Charleston Eats" post here.

Have you dined at Cru Cafe before?

What are some of your favorite Charleston spots?

Have a great day!

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Defining My Niche

Happy Tuesday, readers!

I appreciate your patience during my blog hiatus last week. I had hoped to schedule some posts ahead of time during my absence at the Southern C Summit, but those plans fell to the wayside as I juggled preparing for the conference, and also preparing to miss a week of work.

Those of you that follow along on Instagram, saw that the conference was an amazing time. I'm still ruminating over all the information that was presented and the many people I met. I'm also enjoying some time to unwind after what was a whirlwind week. I've gotten as far as unpacking my dirty clothes and enjoying some Goo Goo Clusters from my swag bag. I have yet to look through the many business cards I collected over the week or to download the slew of pictures I took. I'll get there.

I eventually plan to do a series of posts, highlighting the many adventures I had during my trip, but first I thought I would spend some time here writing and reflecting on a theme I heard throughout the Summit's sessions: "Be niche."

A message that was relayed by several different presenters in several different ways, was to find your niche...that one thing you are most passionate about or most an expert on...and focus on it. It left me thinking "Do I have a niche? And if so, what is it?"

Now before I go further, I will share that much of the conference focused on small business owners and career bloggers. I am neither. I started my blog more than 5 years ago purely as a hobby, and intend to keep it that way. I do enjoy making a little bit of money on the side and having the opportunity to partner with brands from time to time; but at the end of the day this blog is my hobby and my creative space. Because of that, I don't think I need to feel pressured to "be  niche." I love that this blog is my blog--a lifestyle blog where I post about anything and everything I want, regardless of whether it converts into likes, pageviews, or comments. On the other hand, though, I'm human, competitive, and a perfectionist and certainly feel motivated on some level by those stats. 

Despite recognizing that I don't have to fit myself into a niche, I still find myself pondering and questioning it. Can "lifestyle" be a niche? When asked what I blogged about during the conference, I continually answered "I'm truly a lifestyle blogger and post about whatever I want. I tend to write about fashion, interiors, cooking, books, and then just my day to day life." "Is that too broad?" I wondered. 

At lunch on Thursday, after a morning of sessions where "niche" came up continuously, my table engaged in a great conversation about blogging as a career versus hobby, defining your audience (whether it be as a blogger or creative small business owner), and the motivations that drive and inspire us all. When Haley of Hermosa Jewelry commented that her customer base and audience includes both teens and grandmothers, it all clicked for me. I shared that defining your audience can't always be driven and honed down to facts and figures such as "women in their late-20s to mid-30s." An audience can also be a feeling or a type. In that moment I felt like I discovered my niche!

I realized that the blog world I entered 5 years ago was not one of affiliate links, professional photography, or branding: It was a community. And YES, wholeheartedly, my niche, can be lifestyle. It can include an array of posts that might not always be connected. Even though I don't post about just one topic, I'd bet that you, my readers, know what to expect when you decide to click over to Alexandra Bee Blog. I hope that you expect to find a fellow woman who is real. I hope that when you stop by, you feel like you're sitting down to chat with a close friend. I hope you see that like you, I'm just trying to figure this whole womanhood thing out...career, domesticity, relationships, adulthood, healthy living, identity, and more.

My favorite blogs are the real ones. The bloggers that bare all from time to time, and make me realize none of us have it all together. The bloggers (and readers) that have been by my side over the last 5 years, through the good times and bad.

So now, if you've made it this far. I want to hear what you think. How would you describe Alexandra Bee Blog to someone? If you're a blogger, in what ways would you define your niche?

I love learning from you.

Have a great day!

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Five on...Tuesday!

Happy Tuesday readers!

I hope this email finds you well.

We had a nice, low-key weekend! Bryce is preparing to take the Professional Engineer's exam this Friday, so it's crunch time for him. He spent a lot of time studying, which gave me some much needed down time.

With the start of my new boss last week, things were a bit hectic and I never got around to posting my Five on Friday. That being said, I've decided to post a Five on TUESDAY here for ya today!

ONE

Pineapple Handprint Craft

How stinkin' cute is this pineapple handprint craft that popped up on my Pinterest feed? If I was still teaching, I would definitely find an excuse for my kinders to make this before summer; and also think it could be adorable framed as home decor! Mother's Day IS right around the corner! I am definitely going to file this idea in my brain to do with babes of my own some day!

TWO

Lancome Youth Activating Concentrate

Have you ever gone in search of a more affordable beauty product only to wind up falling for something even more pricey than what you originally used? Well, ladies, that just happened to me. For almost two years, I used this Kiehl's Line Reducing Concentrate under my Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, however it's a bit pricey in my opinion. When I last ran out, a few months ago, I decided to not replace it and see how my skin reacted. I've just been using the Ultra Facial Cream, which I absolutely love, but have noticed lately that my skin hasn't been quite as smooth and even. So I wound up on Nordstrom's website last week, searching for an anti-aging product with rave reviews that wouldn't break the bank (By the way, did you know you can search by "Skin Concern!?" How cool!)  I bet you can guess what happened next. I found this Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate...and it's nearly double what the Kiehl's concentrate cost. BUT, how could I resist when it has a 4.8/5 star rating based on 454 reviews!!! Surely I must have found the fountain of youth! It arrived Friday and I've been using it under my Ultra Facial Cream since then and already can notice that my skin is a bit smoother to the touch. It also has more of a liquid/gel consistency and you only use one drop when applying, so I am thinking it will last far longer than the Kiehl's which is more of a lotion. I will be sure to report back after I've been using it longer. I also was in the market for new eye cream, and wound up with the Lancome Progres Eye Creme, which also has rave reviews. My mom used Lancome products for years. Have any of y'all had a good experience with their skincare line?

THREE

Summer Salads

I read on Emily's blog last week that one of her April goals is to eat a salad for dinner at least once a week. I loved this idea! It seems so simple, but is a great way to cut some calories during the week. Now that warmer weather is mostly here, I tend to enjoy eating light more, rather than craving hearty, warm comfort food as in the winter months. I think we're going to adopt her goal as our own, and I think this 30 Summer Salads list will provide great inspiration.

FOUR

Pom Pom Clutch

How adorable is this pom pom clutch? I've been eyeing it for weeks now and don't know why I haven't taken the plunge...especially considering it's only $40! I can just imagine pairing it with white jeans and sky high wedges while sipping pina coladas by the beach!

FIVE

Let's Share a Dish

And last, but not least, I wanted to share a new blog with you! My friend Meg (who, funny story, I met because she was a blog follower and reached out to help me network during my job search) recently started her very own blog with a girlfriend called Let's Share a Dish....and she's rocking it! Richmond readers especially should check it out, as the main focus is Richmond eats! Since I started following along, my list of restaurants to try is constantly expanding. For example, I am dying to do a picnic dinner one night soon, and I learned in this post that the local Garnett's Cafe will pack your take out order in a picnic basket, upon request! Spring bucket list item!? I think so! They also are mixing in some travel and lifestyle posts, though too, so anyone would enjoy it! Go check out their blog and let them know I sent ya!

What's been on your radar lately?

Have a great day!

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Five on Friday

Happy Friday snow bunnies!

Better late than never, I am excited to be linking up today for the Five on Friday!

ONE

First Snow Day!

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I thought the days of "snow days" were long gone for me, so you can imagine I was pleasantly surprised when I received an email yesterday afternoon announcing that our office would be closed today. I have been really run down the last two weeks, so this day has been just what the doctor ordered. I have used it as a day to relax and get things done. I started my morning with a barre class, came home and began prepping dinner (crockpot carnitas with homemade chimichurri sauce in cauliflower tortillas...will definitely share the recipe if it's good!), attacked a mountain of laundry, and have just enjoyed the slow paced day and watching the beautiful snow come down from the comfort of my cozy home! I think cookies are in store next (because calories, carbs, and sugars definitely DON'T count on snow days....)!

TWO

Pink Colorblock Reversible Cape

This cape first hit my radar a few days ago when Ashley posted it on her blog! I've been wearing a lot more neutrals this fall and winter, but went gaga over this cape! The girlie girl in me just can't resist the pretty pink and it has Valentine's Day written all over it! I have a Nordstrom gift card from Christmas and at under $35, this cape was a no brainer! I can't wait for it to arrive!

THREE

Southern C Summit

I am so excited to share that I just registered last week for the Southern C Summit! I was invited to attend this creative conference in Charleston last year, but couldn't take 3 days off of school. This year is a different story, and I can't wait to return to Charleston, with one of my besties, Erin of Attention to Darling Blog, by my side! Any of y'all going!? I would love to plan some time to catch up during the conference!

FOUR

Spice & Sass

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I don't know about y'all, but I love it when I find a new blog to follow. Last week, I found Samma's blog Spice & Sass, and couldn't resist sharing the love! Her blog chronicles her day to day life, including that of her ahhhh-dorable family, and has a great dose of Southern! I found myself engrossed last week, reading and reading her posts! If you haven't checked out this down-to-earth blog, you must!

FIVE

DIY Floating Glitter Tumbler

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How stinkin' cute is this DIY tumbler? I need another cup/tumbler/waterbottle like I need a hole in my head, BUT, I just might have to get crafty and make this one! I also have a bachelorette party for my cousin coming up in March and think making a set of these for all the girls could also potentially be fun for that weekend! I'll keep you posted!

What's going on in your life?

Has snow storm Jonas hit where you are?

Have a great weekend!

2015, a year that ANSWERED

Happy New Year readers!

Those of you that have read for a while, know that every January I like to do a post that reflects on the past year and also looks ahead to the new year.

And that's why you haven't heard from me yet this year.

I didn't want to come into January without first posting my annual New Year's post. One of my all time favorite quotes is "I cannot advise that we remain as we are" by Plato. I like to enter the new year with that in mind--embracing change, betterment. This blog has become the place for me to express that, and it just didn't feel right starting a new year of blogging, without first, reflecting on myself in the new year and sharing that with y'all.

If you remember from last year's post, 2014 was literally the worst. After a year that was so tough, I found writing a New Year's post to be cathartic. It was easy to make goals, because it felt like the only way to go was up. That being said, I've felt a lot of pressure to write this post. Can I give it the same earnest emotion as I did last year? Do I have many goals or resolutions for 2016? Is it bad, if the answer to that last question is no?

Then, yesterday morning, The SouthernC tweeted (yes, I have Twitter now! Follow here!) this:

It's one of my favorite quotes and I pinned it myself, ages ago. As soon as I saw it on Twitter, though, I knew the direction that I wanted this post to go. 

Last January, I proclaimed that 2015 was "the year of doing my thing," a time to un-apologetically be myself, and also to be selfish.

So...how'd it go?

I have to say, great! 2015 was most definitely a year that answered.

Being so tough, 2014 asked a lot of questions. My relationship with Bryce was put through huge external challenges; I learned that teaching today isn't quite what I had hoped; and I really had to dig deep to determine what controlled my happiness.

By proclaiming 2015 the year of doing my thing, I found answers to those questions. It was a whirlwind year.

The biggest "answer" of the year probably comes to no surprise to you. It was the choice to leave my teaching job and seek a new career. You can read all about that choice in much more detail here and here, but all I can say was that it was the best choice. I am a new person and didn't realize just how much teaching was affecting all other parts of my life. And now, when I look back, quitting my job this summer is one of my proudest accomplishments. Having the courage to take a stand for myself, and make the unpractical decision was huge for me.

In terms of Bryce and I, our relationship is stronger than ever before. I can honestly say that he is the best partner or teammate in life--someone I can count on for literally anything and everything. My career change has also led to big improvements in our day to day relationship. I come home in a good mood and still have energy, rather than coming home frustrated and grumpy.

And finally...the happiness piece. That's a tough one. I would like to think we are all in charge of our own happiness, but I will say that a lot of my unhappiness was wrapped up in my teaching job. The reality is that we spend a majority of our time at work; so when work isn't satisfying, it does affect happiness. I struggled to "leave work at work," because teaching is so all-consuming and emotional. While I don't like that it was such a controller of my happiness, it was the reality. My control or take charge piece, however, came in when I chose that it was no longer worth it and to leave. I think taking control of one's own happiness, shouldn't be assuming that you'll always be happy, every second of every day. It is accepting that there will be bad times and good.Taking control lies in reacting to those ups and downs in the best way you can, and hopefully, ultimately, coming out of those tough times a better or happier person.

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If I haven't bored you yet, I'll do a quick check of last year's official goals or resolutions and dive into how I hope to grow and improve in 2016.

Last year, I planned to:

• Focus on Positive Relationships: Check, check check! 2015 was a great year in this department. I will say, that the not so pretty side of this, was having to walk away from or let go of some toxic relationships. But 2015 also brought lots of new and amazing people into my life. I reconnected with some old friends as well. I really feel as if my cup runneth over.
• Spend More Time Interacting with Other Blogs: I have to admit, this was a fail. SO much happened for me in 2015, but being a star blogger was not one of those things. Does anyone else feel as if Instagram has taken over your blog? 
• Get Back to Healthy Eating: This was also a bit of a fail. While I can say, I am not very picky anymore, 2015 was a year of good eating. The Richmond restaurant scene continues to boom and Bryce and I are foodies. That, combined with a new job that includes regular lunches out, caused 2015 to be a year of weight gain for me. So...to new beginnings in 2016!
• Build Up My Savings: I'd say this was a success. I've cut way back on my spending, particularly on clothes, and at the end of 2015, I bought my first car! Prior to that, my biggest grown-up purchase had been a mattress, so financing a car was a big step. Because I had worked on my savings, making a down payment on my car wasn't as hard as I thought. Having a monthly car payment, I think is also going to make me be more mindful of my purchases moving forward. I am going to have to stick to a tighter budget and am actually excited to be at this phase in my life.

Ahhh...and now for 2016. In all honesty, I have to say that this year is light on the resolutions. I'm so proud of how far I've come, but alas feel like I need to make a few goals. So here they are:

CONTINUE TO FIGURE OUT THIS WHOLE "GROWN-UP" THING

As mentioned above, my life is feeling more and more grown-up. I've now entered the world of car payments, started a new career, and have multiple friends with babies. Though all the responsibility can feel overwhelming from time to time, I am so happy to be at this phase of my life. You couldn't pay me to be in college again or a different phase of my life. All that, being said, I still have a lot to learn and figure out. For example, I have been putting money away for retirement for several years now. Do I fully understand the whole investment thing? No. I hope that in 2016, I can learn more about my investments, and perhaps tweak the way I am investing some of my money. On a smaller scale, I also want to get better at day to day "grown-up" things like staying on top of the laundry and meal planning.

GET BACK TO HEALTHY EATING...and lose a little weight

I can say with a lot of confidence that I will be successful in this goal. I just know I am in the right mindset. Bryce and I have started the year doing the no carb/sugar/alcohol thing, and for the most part, it's been much easier than I expected. I am already noticing differences when I put on my clothes in the morning and just feel better nourishing myself with healthy foods. After this initial phase of strictly adhering to the diet, our ultimate goal is to eat in this way most of the time. Meal planning and getting creative with our meals has been key to our success so far. (Post with a round-up of Alexandra Bee Approved Low Carb Recipes coming soon...) I also am working on my exercise routine. I am currently doing a New Year Barre Challenge of 20 classes in 30 days, which has been a great way to hold myself accountable. After that concludes, I want to start taking cycle classes 1-2 times a week in addition to barre.

BLOG

Plain and simple, I want to blog again...with consistency and routine. The last several months I've had a laundry list of posts, but have lacked the initiative to sit down and write them. As mentioned before, sometimes I feel like Instagram has overtaken the blogworld; but point blank, at the end of the day, I really love writing here. Bryce has a lot of studying to do in the coming months as he prepares for the Professional Engineering Exam in April, so I am hoping that we can carve out study/blog time that will be helpful.

CALL & VISIT MY GRANDMAS MORE

No explanation necessary.

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2016...I'm ready for ya!

How was your 2015?

Do you make goals or resolutions for the new year?

How's your 2016 going so far?

Five on Friday

TGIF readers!

I'm really trying for blogger of the year this summer, if you can't tell...HA!

I do have several posts lined up and am determined to make it happen...look forward to a giveaway, NYC recap, recipes, and more in the coming weeks!

Today I figured I'd just update you a bit on my life in a random fashion by linking up with the Five on Friday ladies!

So here goes:

ONE

Job Search

Just trucking along over here. I'm still in the running for a long application process that began back in May and should know more by the end of July/early August. I've put in for a few other applications and am now also trying to really brainstorm people I know and can reach out to that may be able to help me. (I may even be reaching out to a few of you that have offered advice!) 

Things have been weighing on my mind and emotions, A LOT. I'm realizing more and more that a job search may take longer than the summer and so I'm trying to decide what the next best step is if I don't have luck in the coming weeks. Bryce and I had a long chat last night and he gave me explicit directions to enjoy my summer and to head to the pool to take my mind off things today. I'm listening to him.

All that being said, with a career change in my future, I need to stock up on some basic workwear. I have a lot of things already in my wardrobe that would be work appropriate, however, I need to add a few basic staples that will work with the pieces I already have. Today is the start of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (for those of us that aren't cardholders) and I've found several pieces at major bargains! I've got 2 blazers, a pencil skirt, pants, a dress, and 2 blouses all in my shopping cart right now coming in at around $400! Shop my picks below: 

I also couldn't resist checking out J. Crew! All of these picks are currently 30% off with code GOSHOPPING.

TWO

Parenthood

Ummm....why have I just gotten around to watching this show? A few weeks ago, Bryce was out of town for a concert and I decided to start watching Parenthood on Netflix. My mom always loved it, but I don't like watching shows unless I've watched them from the beginning so I never started watching with her. I was therefore thrilled to find it on Netflix. The first night I stayed up until 2 am watching and was immediately hooked. Since then, I've gotten Bryce on board and we watch at least three one episode a night! If you haven't watched it, start NOW!

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THREE

Ladies Hoo Lunch

I recently joined the UVA Club of Richmond and a few months ago learned about a ladies luncheon they put on every other month called "Ladies Hoo Lunch." The purpose is to connect with fellow alumni and network. There is a speaker at every lunch and Whitney, who heads up the lunch, asked me to speak at this week's lunch. Whitney is a follower of the blog and she wanted me to speak about social media. I was initially nervous to talk about my girlie blog to a group of successful alumni, but was received very well! I framed my talk around the idea that screen-to-screen interaction is becoming as common as face-to-face interaction and shared strategies to make digital interaction feel personal and relatable. It was such a great experience and I left feeling invigorated!

FOUR

Skinnytaste Baked Chicken Parmesan

I made this recipe for dinner last night and it was so good, not to mention super easy! The baked chicken tastes just as good, if not better, than fried and I have a feeling it will become a go-to recipe. 

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FIVE

THIS...

My mantra of late....

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What's been going on in your life lately?

Have you shopped the Nordstrom sale?

Have a great day!

4 Years Ago Yesterday...

Happy Monday readers!

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I am jumping for joy this morning as yesterday marked this blog's 4 year blogoversary!

This space has become sacred to me over the last 4 years. It is a place for me to be completely, honestly me and it is all mine. I can't believe all the twists and turns my life has taken since that very first blog post. I vividly remember returning back to school after spring break and spending a bored night deciding I would start a blog. It was a completely spontaneous decision and I hadn't even really been a blog reader before starting this journey. Little did I know how quickly I would become addicted to the blog world and all it has to offer.

The last year has been a whirlwind (and tough), as y'all know, but it has been a really pivotal year for the blog. On my last blogoversary I relaunched myself as Alexandra Bee Blog and said goodbye to my original identify of "Sundresses and Smiles."

So now, sit back and enjoy a little party for this blog's 4th birthday.

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Grab a cupcake and enjoy the party's entertainment...a roundup of my favorite posts from the past year! 

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Be sure to check out the ones you've missed:

03/14: Transitioning Into Spring

04/14: Dearest Tory

05/14: Charleston Getaway, Charleston Eats, & Shore Weekend

06/14: Westover Lawn Party

07/14: BLT Bites

08/14: Shore Summer Kick-Off, Daydreaming, & Nana's Peach Cobbler

09/14: Cookie Dough Rice Krispie Treats & Bunco Night

10/14: Sunday Well Spent

11/14: Holiday Gift Guides: Ladies, Gents, & Stocking Stuffers

12/14: Red Velvet Brownies, Tis the Season, & Cookies & Cocktails

01/15: 2015: The Year of Doing My Thing & The Evolution of a Tray

02/15: Heart Day Recap

03/15: Chicken Cordon Bleu Roll-Ups & Glam Coral & Gold Baby Shower

I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for Alexandra Bee Blog!

One of the goals I have in the coming year is to boost my followership up to 700+! I'd like to pass a warm welcome to several new followers in the last few weeks and can't wait to make even more friends in this 4th year of blogging!

And PS--- Be sure to checkout Instagram this afternoon for an exciting Instagram only giveaway I'm hosting with several other fabulous ladies! The timing certainly is serendipitous! 

Have a great day!

2015: The Year of Doing My Thing

Happy New Year friends!

First things first, today is the start of the Lilly After Party Sale! Click here to shop ah-mazing deals!

Wow, I took quite the break from blogging these last few weeks. School has been so demanding this year, that I needed this break more than ever before. Little did I know that would mean a break from, well, everything, including the blog.

I also will admit, I've been hesitant to sit down and write this post. I knew that my next few posts would reflect on the past year and also look forward to the new year ahead. That task has been more daunting than in years past. As I've mentioned before, 2014 has been a tough year. It has been the hardest year of both my and Bryce's lives. As I've stated previously, I don't feel at liberty to share the details of our challenges from the past year, but I will share that what has made this situation unique is that most of the challenges we have faced have been largely out of our own control. Our relationship (and sanity at times, ha) was put through the ultimate test, yet it was not due to something either of us did to the other. Rather, it was a series of outside struggles and stress that put a huge strain on our relationship.

I've done a lot of thinking about the past year. There are so many sayings about the tough times in life--"What does not kill you makes you stronger," "Everything happens for a reason," "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain," "Yada, yada, yada!" I don't mean to sound cynical (and maybe I am), but while I think these words have meaning, I also think sometimes bad things just happen. I don't think there is some divine ultimate reason for everything. I wouldn't even say that I am necessarily stronger than I was a year ago; in fact, in some ways I am probably weaker. I would say the "positive" from the past year has been assurance. I now can say with complete assurance that I am strong, that my relationship with Bryce is strong, that my relationships with friends and family are strong. Does that make me better though? I'm not so sure.

All that being said, my motto for 2015 is "Do your thing." So much of my past year was spent trying to ameliorate and control the situation I was in...a situation that was largely out of my control. Throughout much of the year, I felt like I had lost a sense of myself. I developed anxiety. I was unhappy and I was a glimmer of the person I believe myself to be. The last few months have been much better, and moving forward, I am vowing to simply do my thing. To be myself, and focus on what is best for me...in some ways, regardless of others. That may be selfish, but after the past year, I think I need some time to be selfish. To expand on my motto a bit:

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And now to not sound totally cynical, and self absorbed, I'll do some reflecting on last year's resolutions and share my other goals for the year ahead. To read in detail my goals and resolutions for last year, click here.

In short, below you will find my goals for 2014 and a brief reflection:

REVAMP MYSELF AS A BLOGGER

All in all, I would say that this goal was largely successful. 2014 was a bit of a rebirth of my blog. I recreated myself as "Alexandra Bee Blog" and got a pretty new design courtesy of Laura Wyatt Designs. I also largely maintained my goal of posting 10x per month. I missed the mark in both September and December, posting only 8 times those months, however, life was busy and I posted more than 10 several months so I think it all comes out in the wash.

MAKE OUR HOUSE A HOME

This goal was largely about focusing on my relationship with Bryce and the new step we took by choosing to move in together at the beginning of last year. Because of the year we faced, I can honestly say that the exact particulars of this goal were not my focus. Much of our focus in our relationship over the last year, was really, for lack of a better word, survival. We had to fight to stand by each other's side for most of the year. It was tough, but ultimately, we prevailed and our relationship is now stronger than ever. And honestly, I'd say that has been the ultimate success. 

TAKE CHARGE OF MY OWN HAPPINESS

Well, you can probably infer from my reflections at the beginning of this post, that I didn't totally succeed in this goal. I set out with high hopes for 2014 and the first short six days were great. I was proclaiming the benefits and power of positive thinking and confident moving into the year ahead. Then on January 6, that all changed. I've learned a lot though and feel confident I can find more success with this goal in the coming year.

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KEEP TRYING NEW FOODS

I would say that goal was hugely successful. I consider myself somewhat of a reformed picky eater and will eat most anything these days. I'm still not the biggest fan of fruit, though, haha!

And now for 2015. I was tempted to make no goals and just say that my resolution for the year ahead to make it a better year than last, but that's just not in my nature.

FOCUS ON POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS

If the past year has taught me anything, it's how important a support network can be. I am so lucky

to have the unwavering love, friendship, and support of Bryce, my family, and some seriously amazing friends. There is no way in hell I would have gotten through the past year without my support network, so my goal moving forward is to really focus on continuing to cultivate positive relationships and to pay it forward. I want to make sure the people that have helped me so much know just how much their appreciated and loved by me.

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SPEND MORE TIME INTERACTING WITH OTHER BLOGS

I am so proud of how far this blog has come, but over the last year, I have really struggled to find the time to read, comment, and connect with other bloggers. I have tried hard to do a better job of emailing readers in response to comments and questions, but I can most certainly do better in the new year. Additionally, I am constantly inspired by others and miss reading blogs regularly. That being said, I am hoping to be able to carve out some additional time each week to connect with all of you beyond my posts. 

GET BACK TO HEALTHY EATING

Womp, womp, womp...this is the boring goal, but it's a necessary one. In the last year, as I've become less and less picky, Bryce and I have really become foodies. Richmond's food scene has also been booming and we've had an influx of amazing new restaurants at our fingertips. All that being said, we've probably been doing a little to much eating, drinking, and being merry, haha! I am hoping that the new year will bring better meal planning and more healthy eating.

BUILD UP MY SAVINGS

Another boring, but necessary one here. This year, I really want to work hard to spend less and save more. I am very fortunate to have little educational debt which my parents are helping with and no credit card debt. I also am proud to say that I already put away for retirement each month. That being said, there is plenty of room for improvement in terms of saving. I had the habit for a while of putting a huge chunk of my paycheck into savings at the beginning of each month, however, I got out of the habit over the last few months. I plan to make it a habit again and focus less on material, more on meaningful.

So there you have it! My goals for 2015..the year of doing my thing! New year, I'm ready for ya!

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How was your past year?

How do you cope when the times get tough?

What goals or resolutions do you have for 2015?

Have a great day!

And just because I am saving, not spending, doesn't mean you have to! Shop some of my Lilly favorites that may be included in the sale below. I will also tune back in after school this evening with more!

#BloggersforBCA

Happy October friends!

I am so excited that my very favorite month of the year is here!

Today I am thrilled to announce a campaign you might see floating around the blog-world this month: Bloggers for BCA.  As many of y'all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. According to breastcancer.org, 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime and about 40,000 women in the U.S. are expected to die of breast cancer in 2014. And finally, about 85% of breast cancer incidences occur in women with no family history of the disease. Those statistics prove that each of us is likely to be impacted by breast cancer at some point in our life, either fighting through it personally or knowing someone who is.

That being said, Bloggers for BCA is all about spreading breast cancer awareness throughout the blog community.  Today I am excited to share some ways that you can give back and help support breast cancer research through one of my favorite hobbies:  SHOPPING!

Below you will find many products that work to raise BCA!

Accessory Concierge Tough As Nails Necklace

20% of Purchase Goes to breastcancerfund.org

Also, see their Fight Like A Girl Cuff and Here Comes A Fighter Cuff

Tory Burch Carnation Red York Small Buckle Tote

20% of Purchase goes to Breast Cancer Research Foundation, up to $35,000 total

See all TB SHOP FOR A CURE Styles here. 

Essie "Pinking About You" and "I Pink I Can"

A special curated collection to help raise awareness of the fight against breast cancer.

KitchenAid Raspberry Ice Susan G. Komen Artisan Stand Mixer

The purchase of this mixer helps KitchenAid to raise a minimum of $450,000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Ralph Lauren Pink Pony Foundation

Enjoy 25% off select styles TODAY and TOMORROW only to help raise for the Pink Pony Foundation. Use code RLGIVE14. I think making a custom oxford (in pink, of course!) would be fitting:

Ralph Lauren Custom-Fit Oxford Shirt

Holst Lee for LOFT Earrings

70% of purchase goes to Breast Cancer Research Foundation

So there you have it, some fun ways to make a difference and raise BCA.

Have you, or someone close to you, suffered from breast cancer?

Have a PINK day!