DO YOU CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S EVE

When I reflect on New Year’s traditions, many things come to mind. The traditions and celebrations seem to change from year to year. I’m not sure how much of that is because of COVID and how much is because of age. When you get to a certain age, going out on the town doesn’t hold the appeal it did when you were young. Do you celebrate New Year’s Eve, and do you already have plans?

Does anyone eat black-eyed peas, pork, cornbread, and greens on New Year’s Eve? We always have this traditional New Year’s Day meal, and the kids had to eat at least a bite of everything before I would let them up from the table. Cornbread and black-eyed peas are great any time, and I usually have cooked cabbage as our “greens,” but this year, I might fix Turnip Greens because Joe LOVES them.

I remember the first time I came with Joe to Grundy to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve; they set off fireworks. We only set off fireworks on the 4th of July, so to me, that was a strange tradition. The traditional southern New Year’s Day meal might seem odd to you, and your traditional meal might look completely different. Let me know what kind of specialty food is on your New Year’s Day menu.

Ringing in New Year’s Eve with Champagne and a Sparkles

If I were going to an event out on the town, I would wear my black sparkly sequin dress. I think every gal needs at least a couple of fun dresses for occasions like this. A fancy gown can make you look years younger if you get the right size and a good style for your figure type.

Let’s face it – after Christmas and all the cookies most of us indulged in, concealing those little bulges is important to boost a gal’s confidence. Gurls, we all get some extra curves around the holidays, but it isn’t the end of the world, and those pounds don’t have to stick around. I’m working on losing that five pounds again, and if you want to join me in the diet program I’m doing, read to the end, and I’ll provide the details.

The sparkly dress from Walmart wasn’t expensive, so having an item in my closet that I only wear occasionally was doable. Last year, I wore sparkle leggings, a sparkle cami, and a long sparkly duster. WHEW! If a light shined on me, you might have been blinded.

A glitzy, glamorous dress can help with your confidence level. There are plenty of options available if you are searching for one. My advice would be to pick a color that is one of your favorites, so you feel even more fabulous wearing it. Don’t forget to add a great pair of shoes and sparkly jewelry! I also had intentions of adding black tights to my look. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to wear a sheer pair or an opaque pair, so I ordered both. One pair hasn’t arrived, and the other pair had an accident while I was trying to put them on. Lol! Sorry, white legs were the look of the day. Hahaha!

Since my dress is sold out, I’ll link to some other sparkly options that you can wear anytime you want to celebrate.

Casually Ringing in New Year’s Eve

I’ve gotten to the age where celebrating New year’s Eve is either Joe and I at home, or we go to a friend’s house. I like looking nice and festive, but there isn’t a need for me to wear sequins. Occasionally one of our friends will have a party that is a “dress up” party, and then I can drag out my finery.

A simple outfit can look just as nice as a sequined outfit. It looks understated and chic instead of flirty and flashy. This Nine West cowl neck sweater is comfortable, and the ribbed sleeves give it a unique detail to set it apart from all of the others. I’m wearing a large one because I wanted it to be oversized enough to wear it with leggings.

You can see how long the sweater is in this photo, and I don’t even have it pulled down all the way. I chose to wear the sweater with a pair of black ankle-length dress pants that I bought this month. Black pants are an essential item that should be in everyone’s closet. I have black jeans, skinny jeans, leggings, full-length, ankle-length, and cropped length. My point is, black can go with anything and can be dressed up or worn casually. I’m wearing my usual size 10 in these, and they are a little loose but still fit me fine.

Ringing in New Year’s Eve at Home

If you are not headed to any New Year’s Eve parties – then you are probably secretly hoping to be extremely comfy and cozy this holiday. Maybe, you are staying up late, enjoying a movie marathon, and munching out on that big bowl of popcorn, and waiting to watch the ball drop. If that sounds like you, then a cozy set of pajamas would be perfect attire! Nobody will judge. Besides, the holidays should be all about being with family who loves you as you are.

I love this Plum Pansies Fleece Pullover! You might recognize this pullover since I also have it in the Ribbons Plaid pattern. I love the extremely soft fleece material that is just as soft after several washings. I thought that this Plum Pansies print would look great through spring, plus it looks adorable now. I am wearing a large, and it fits great, a little on the loose side, so consider that when ordering.

I paired the fleece pullover with a pair of fleece-lined yoga pants that I just discovered. I’m not usually a yoga-pant lover since I don’t like to be compressed. But, these fleece-lined yoga pants are fabulous (thanks, Ashleigh, for the recommendation), and I just ordered another black pair along with a navy, gray, and burgundy one. Because I don’t like to be compressed, I ordered an XL in these, and I love how they fit. However, they are starting to get loose since I’ve lost a little weight. I am wearing my Brooks GTS 21 sneakers that I use for walking. Since I had a minor flare-up with Plantar Fascitis, I wear them daily. I took my friend’s advice and sized up a half size to a 9 1/2, and they fit me great.

I’ll probably be wearing something similar to one of the two outfits above. I know they aren’t glamorous looking, but they sure feel great against my skin.

This dark cherry plush hoodie is slightly relaxed and oversized for a comfy and cozy feel. The hoodie comes in camel and peach blush, but the dark cherry color has my name written all over it. This is machine washable and made from 100% polyester. I am wearing a large to get the oversized look, and I love how it fits.

The matching plush joggers are sold separately. They are a pull-on style and have two side seam pockets and cuffed leg openings. I am wearing large joggers; also, they fit great, and the entire set is only $50!

How I Lost 20 lbs. Recently

This is an 8-Week Challenge virtual weight loss-based program for adults. The program runs in 8-week segments and provides you with a workout plan and meal plan that changes weekly. The workouts are designed to challenge all fitness levels and can be done at home or in the gym whenever is convenient for you. The meal plan is supplement-free and consists of whole food options you can get from your local grocery store to make each meal. (We do have plans for vegetarians, vegans, and postpartum moms.) All information for the program is shared through our private Facebook group, where you can find live workouts that can be watched at your convenience any time afterward–including Zumba, HIIT, spin, weight training and yoga. You’ll also get live question and answer sessions and accountability from the tens of thousands of other members in our group to help you reach your goals. All of this is available for 8 payments of $40. After 8 payments, you’ll have access to the program for life at no additional cost.

If this sounds like a program you would like to try; you can sign up today until the 5th. The program starts this Monday, so sign up now and be ready for when it starts. Click on the link if you want to JOIN ME IN THE NEXT ROUND! This is the first time they have asked who referred you to the program, so please put Tania Stephens and not 50 Is Not Old in that area.

Enjoy your New Year’s Eve, Friends!! I hope you liked today’s post. If so, PLEASE remember to pin my post on Pinterest.

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To God Goes The Glory!

Verse of the day

1 Corinthians 10:31

³¹ So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

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