2018 Recap: Top 12 Posts

Where did 2018 go? As we get ready to ring in the new year, I thought it would be fun to look back on the 12 most popular posts from the last year. It was interesting to see which posts you guys responded to more. Each post on this list was written in 2018. Here we go!

#12 - Three posts tied for this spot: 13 Truths About Working Moms in which I share some of the realities working mothers deal with, Desk to Date in which I talk about one of my favorite boutique finds, and 15 Free or Cheap Things to Do This Fall.

#11 - New Job - First Week Recap: This may have been the most bizarre first week of work ever.

#10 - Workplace Sparkle: Who says you can't wear a sequin skirt to the office?

#9 - How to Throw a Fairy-rific Tinker Bell Party: All the details from Alexis's third birthday party.

#8 - Harsh Realities of Journalism & How to Deal: Some practical ways for new journalists to deal with criticism, having to work holidays (including Christmas) and the reality of not being able to help everyone.

#7 - Spring Has Sprung: If Spring were an outfit, this would be it.

#6 - Mommy the Journalist's Mother's Day Gift Guide: My first-ever gift guide.

#5 - 20 Things to Do with Kids This Summer: Free and cheap things to keep kids occupied over the summer months.

#4 - Polka Dots & Lace: Still love this combo.

#3 - Shopping for Alexis: Shopping for a Toddler Girl on a Budget - all my favorite places to find cute, affordable clothes for little girls.

#2 - Career Change: Leaving TV News - This post announces my job change and tells the story of how I stumbled into my dream job.

#1 - The Real Reason I'm Leaving TV News: In this post I talked about why my career change was the right move for my family.

Those were just the top 12, but I did want to share a couple of Honorable Mentions that were also pretty popular in the last year: How Our Family Does Screen Time and 8 Things I've Learned About Love and Relationships.

Other than finishing up a couple of things for the January issue of Wiregrass Parents, I'm taking the week between Christmas and New Year's off. I'll be starting off 2019 with a post about my goals for the year, and of course you can expect all your favorites to continue. In the meantime, keep up with what's going on through my Instagram and/or Facebook pages!

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Photos by J.Sanford Art.

10 Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Her

If you're like me, you haven't finished your Christmas shopping. Although I will say we're a lot further along than we usually are at this point in the countdown. Generally speaking, a week before the big day is probably not the best time to order a gift online. However, there are still some places out there that guarantee they'll get your gift to you on time, but beware of higher shipping costs. For those of you who want a little more peace of mind, I've rounded up some last-minute gift ideas for ladies that you should be able to find in an actual store.

1. Let's start with something that's super easy but heartfelt all at the same time: a framed photo. For a significant other, print out a favorite photo of the two of you together. For grandparents, frame a recent family photo. You should go with at least a 5x7. I really like these ceramic frames and this distressed wood frame.

2. Jogging pants -- I'm talking about a sleek pair that won't make her feel like a bum when she leaves the house. I like (and want) these ones from Old Navy.

3. Assorted make-up sponges -- It may seem silly but these make good stocking stuffers.

4. New make-up brushes -- A good set of these can be costly, which is probably why your lady hasn't replaced hers recently. I like this set.

5. Harper Crossbody - for the girl who's always on the go but hates carrying around a big purse. This crossbody is on Oprah's list of favorites!

6. Novelty Bookends -- for your favorite reader. I'm digging these pineapple bookends for myself.

7. Blue-light blocking glasses -- for the woman who's always on her computer/tablet/phone. Her eyes will thank you. I just started using this pair.

8. iPhone Charger Tassel Keychain -- who would turn down a phone charger they can keep with their keys that doesn't scream 'I'm a phone charger!' Seriously cute.

9. Neck Massager Pillow -- This is perfect for anyone who sits at a desk all day. I have this one and love it. So does my daughter.

10. Full-Body Massage -- A legitimate massage from a certified masseuse, not one you give her.

To those of you who still have lots to buy, good luck! Merry Christmas!

Outfit Details
Sweater: JCPenney (exact)
Jeans: The Limited (exact)
Boots: ShoeDazzle (exact)

Bell Sleeve Tee + Lace-Up Jeans

I love a t-shirt that's more than a t-shirt. The smaller bell sleeves give this tee interest but the super soft material make it feel like lounge wear. I'm wearing a M, but I tried on an XS and S and could wear both. There honestly wasn't a lot of difference in the body of the shirt but the seam of the bell sleeve was too tight to be comfortable in the smaller ones. So I definitely recommend trying it on to make sure the sleeves aren't too tight.

This shirt comes in a lot of colors/patterns. Mine is the light gray heather, but I also really liked the copper falls and burnt coral. The sleeves are three-quarter length so perfect for a typical southern winter day. They're on sale for under $30 right now. My jeans are half off right now. I'm wearing them in size 6.

Details
Shirt: Kohl's (exact)
Jeans: JCPenney (exact)
Boots: Belk (similar)

Family Christmas + 2018 Goals Check-In

We had our first family Christmas this past weekend. Nothing fancy, just food and gifts, so comfy clothes were a must but I still wanted to feel festive. This velvet tee from Old Navy is seriously so soft and comfortable. I honestly wasn't expecting to like it as much as I do. Paired with these shimmer pants, it was the perfect comfy yet festive outfit. Unfortunately my pants are out of stock but the Stevie comes in a lot more options. I'm wearing medium in both.

The end of the year always seems so much busier than the rest of the year. Honestly, I'm always kind of relieved when it's all over and life can return to normal. I like to look back on the year that's passed and remember all the good things that happened. I also like to think about the goals I set at the beginning of the year and if I was able to achieve them. This past year I wanted to exercise more, cook more dinners at home, and disconnect from my devices more frequently. I was definitely hit-or-miss on the exercise, but I feel like I was successful on my other two goals. What about you? Did you smash your 2018 goals?

Instagram Roundup

I can't believe Christmas is a little more than two weeks away. Our first family get together is next weekend! Have you finished your shopping yet? I've barely even started. Last-minute shopping is kind of my thing, although I'd prefer to describe it as leisurely shopping and savoring the season. While I fill up my online shopping carts with gift ideas, check out what you've missed on Instagram the past couple of weeks.

This shirt is more pink than it appears in the picture. It's relaxed peplum hem is very forgiving and the back has the cutest buttons. I'm wearing a small. My jeans are from back before The Limited took a hiatus but this pair is similar and on sale. Wearing the boots in a size 7 regular. I have a narrow foot and these are almost too narrow for me, so you might want to go up a half size.

I got this lightweight quilted vest during Black Friday sales. It's thinner than the frost free vests, and most importantly for me the collar is smaller. I'm wearing a small. My shirt is from a few years ago but this one is similar. These Aeropostale jeans are supposed to be skinny but for me they fit more like straight-leg jeans. Maybe they'll shrink up some when I wash them. Wearing size 8. I've had these ankle boots for several years, but these are similar.

Sweater (old) - similar | Shirt (old) - similar | Jeans (old) - exact | Boots (old) - similar

I am in love with this ruffle sleeve top. It's on sale for under $20 and comes in several other colors including an adorable green polka dot print. I'm wearing size medium. My utility vest is sold out in green but still available in pink. These are my favorite pair of jeans, and they're on sale for less than $20 right now. Boots are linked above.

Shirt (old) - similar | Vest - exact | Jeans (old) - similar | Boots - exact

Posts You May Have Missed:
20 Gift Ideas for Working Moms
32 Things I'm Thankful for This Year (Birthday Post)
15 Gifts Under $10 for Preschool Girls
Ashton's 25 Days of Holiday Movies
5 Tips for Writing a Monthly Column

5 Tips for Writing a Monthly Column

Every month I write a column that's printed inside the first few pages of Wiregrass Parents. So far, I've written four and am currently working on the fifth. It's been almost 20 years since the last time I wrote a monthly column that didn't have an assigned topic for my high school newspaper, The Paw Print, so it'd be safe to assume I was out of practice. The first month wasn't too difficult as it was more of an introduction to the magazine and myself, but man did I struggle that second month. I thought I'd hit my stride in November, but I hit a wall writing December's column. Writing is like that: some days the words flow easily, other days not so much, but there are some simple steps you can follow to make the process a little smoother.

1. When in doubt, write what you know. For my columns, I like to reference our feature articles, but sometimes because I only have one child who's under age 5, they're not exactly relatable to any of my experiences. So instead of trying to write around those specific topics as they relate to my parenting experience, I share a childhood memory that ties into the topic.

2. Draw on your own experiences. People don't like to read impersonal columns. Whether it's sharing a parenting story, childhood experience, or something that's just about me, using those personal anecdotes helps bring the entire article together.

3. Read similar columns/articles. I seriously do this every month. I read my sister publishers' monthly columns, as well as editorials from major publications and even blogs. Reading other writers' work helps inspire me.

4. Write in a circle. The first and last paragraphs have always been the hardest things for me to write. I've been known to write the middle part of a piece before the beginning. Sometimes, I write the end first. But no matter where I start, one thing that helps me is writing in a circle, or beginning and ending on the same topic. It helps bring a sense of resolution.

5. Use a call to action. Challenge your readers to do something. After Hurricane Michael hit our area, I shared how my family was helping those affected and encouraged my readers to do what they could to help as well. You do have to be careful with this one as certain topics can make it appear as if you're biased for or against something.

I hope these tips help anyone who writes regular columns, articles, or even blog posts. If you've got other tips that have helped you, please share!