Photo Credit: Jerrod Bearden Photography
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Happy Monday! After wearing red every day during December, I am really into neutrals right now (although I did wear red yesterday in this outfit here). My favorite neutral is leopard, of course! I love the chic combination of black and brown. When I saw this maxi dress online, I knew I had to have it. I love that it’s simultaneously dressy yet not too dressy; it makes it work for almost any occasion. It is perfect for any date night, a girls’ night out, or church (with a little bandeau or something to make it not low cut). It can easily be dressed up or down based on how you style it. I added a leather jacket and a pop of pink. When it comes to leopard, I always love to pair it with a pop of color, like pink or red. I decided to change it up and add pink. Not pictured are the fabulous pink heels I also wore. According to the measurements of the dress online, I should have sized up. However, I saw in the reviews that the waist is very stretchy, so people who had the dress recommended buying your regular size. I am glad I did that because it fit perfectly. It is a little low cut, so I recommend either pinning it, or adding a bandeau or little top under it.
Blogger friend, Mônia and I had to grab a selfie inbetween this photoshoot
Life Lately:
I haven’t done a life update since October. While we don’t have any major life updates right now, I thought I would share what’s going on lately/what I am looking forward to. Lately, I am trying to find my way back into a routine. To be honest, it has been a huge struggle going from 12 days off to a busy time at work. Jake and I both were blessed to have so much time off together for Christmas. That much time off is unheard of for a resident (Jake lucked out by being scheduled to work at a clinic that is closed on weekends and holidays right before he also had a vacation week) , so we definitely appreciated it while we can now. With his good luck this year, we anticipate next Christmas he will probably be working.
Jake has started back to a rotation where he only gets 4 days off a month, and also has a stretch of working 6 nights. He will be starting nights this week, so I am dreading it. We decided to celebrate my birthday on Saturday night/Sunday after after he got home from work on Saturday. My birthday isn’t for 3 weeks (February 1st), but this Saturday night/Sunday are the only days Jake and I both are off at the same time for over a month. He will be working nights on my actual birthday and birthday weekend. To celebrate, we went to Gianmarco’s restaurant and had some of the best food and wine. If you’re in Birmingham I highly recommend it. It’s hard to get a reservation, so we went to their wine bar, which is first come first served. It was fun to browse their wine selection because many of the bottles were from wineries we saw on our Napa trip (Napa posts here). The food was also amazing; easily some of the best Italian food I’ve ever had. On Sunday we ate brunch at Roots & Revelry. They have the best eggs benedict ever, featuring a succulent pork belly. I am back to my diet all week, then I will be celebrating again with my family in Texas. I’m off Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, so I decided to make a trip to see family while Jake is working nights.
Besides Jake’s schedule, the biggest update I have is that we just booked a trip to Paris/London last week! We will be going in the spring. Jake’s never been to Europe, so I’m dying to take him. Having this trip to look forward to will make the next couple of months so much better. I am already trying to plan everything, especially what to do to my outfits. If you’ve been to London/Paris, what are your favorite things to do there?
Ahh so glad you guys are getting your big trip! That’s amazing and so exciting!
Katherine | http://www.oneswainkycouple.com
Author
Aw thanks, Katherine. We are beyond excited. It will be a blast.
Oh my gosh- what a fun trip to look forward to!! Hope that the rest of your winter goes great girl!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Author
Aww thanks girl. I’m so excited. Jakes never been abroad, so it’ll be amazing to go as a couple. Cannot wait. You too.
That dress is so beautiful! I love how you styled it. And oh my gosh!! Have a blast in Paris and London! That’s awesome.
Author
Thank you so much , Lindsey! I’m so excited. I’ll have to search your blog to see if you have anything on London/Paris.
I love this dress so much!!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Author
Thank you so much
That trip sounds great! Love your dress!!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Author
Aw thanks. I’m soooo excited for it.
You guys are having a lot of fun and that’s great. That leopard maxi dress is so cute. You have such a great look.
The Glossychic
Wonder Cottage
Author
We really are. Thank you so much.
Hi Courtney you look fabulous in your leopard print maxi dress! I am glad you found the blocking friend in Birmingham . I will have to check out her blog. I really love her outfit also and those pink boots! I feel bad for you having Jake away from you at night time. That Italian restaurant sounds really nice and it’s good that there are some of the wines from Napa there. That would be so awesome making a trip to Paris and London! I never been to Paris and I was only in London once as an adult . I know you will have a blast in both cities and you will fit right in . Thanks for the update Courtney Terri xo.
Author
Aw thanks, Terri! Me too, I am slowly meeting some bloggers. US bloggers have to stick together, don’t we? <3 She dosen't have a website, but she does Instagram. She's really stylish! It's okay, I actually get to eat a quick breakfast with Jake now some days before I got to work and as he comes home and then a quick dinner before he leaves and as I get home. A lot less time than normal, but it's okay. Just part of this training phase of his career/life :) It was such a good restaurant. We loved it. The prices were actually not bad too. We did split, but had more than enough food. That is something we're doing lately, so we don't over eat like we had been. I am soooo excited to go to Europe with Jake. I have been before we got married. I cannot wait to share more on my blog about the trip. I am having a blast planning. Thanks for stopping by, Terri.
We do have to stick together Courtney , I think you and me have been doing a good job of it ! I guess the training phase has to be done and sacrifices made. It is good to split food and have a healthy portion when eating. (I need to say that to myself out loud sometimes!) Looking forward to the Europe planning, hugs, Terri xo.
Author
That is so true, Terri! We do! We really have, I am so glad about it too. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. I am excited for our upcoming trip. Lots and lots of planning needs to happen between now and the spring.
It will be fun planning Courtney!
Author
It will be 🙂