Ringing In 2013 from Sea Island

I have a lifelong hatred of New Year's.

Surprising, right?

A girl who loves parties & glitter & champagne & party crowns HATES New Year's?!

I do. Or, well, I did. Until this year!

On December 29, Emily, Helen & I jetted to Sea Island, a fabulous resort in Georgia, to ring in 2013 in style.

Naturally, I packed the essentials, including these black & gold party crowns.

We may or may not have ordered a cookie cake to celebrate the weekend. Party snacks?

I could NOT get over this insane Spanish moss. I swear it came straight from the Garden of Eden.

We visited the sweetest little church I ever saw... Christ Church Frederica (Episcopal- shoutout!).

Full of majesty & splendor

Beneath the beautiful trees...

After hitting up the Cloister Collection to buy some (sale!) Lilly, we checked into our hotel, The Cloister.

Our gorgeous room! I loved the vaulted ceilings & hardwood floors & our dressing room.

Helen & I enjoyed sitting in The Lodge, admiring all the beautiful Christmas decorations.

The room of my dreams, though, was the solarium. I could stay in here forever!

Gorgeous hydrangeas in the Spanish Lounge

A table for cards in the Spanish Lounge

The Cloister main lobby was oh so beautiful

We soaked up the sun outside on the patio, a nice break from the chilly Texas weather

It was still Christmas, though, y'all!

Mother, can I have my wedding in this ballroom?

The G8 Summit was hosted at Sea Island in 2004. This is the Summit room.

Naturally, I sat in George W. Bush's seat :)

Ringing in 2013 with a strawberry daiquiri at the Beach Club!

The Chapel at Sea Island

Party preparations were in full-force on Monday! 

The Georgian Room where we had a super fancy dinner.

(Truth be told, though, I would have preferred Chipotle over sick pate. I don't want foods in paste or gel form... gag!)

My perfect souvenir! An original watercolor of The Cloister

Emily brought these cute NYE cookies from Celebrity Bakery in Dallas for us!

A private tasting in the Library. (Again, I bet Chipotle is better!)

Party essentials.

My head & hair are far too big to wear a paper hat. I stick with the crown!

An incredible fireworks display over the water welcomed in the New Year in a perfect way.

Party time, y'all! 

There was music & dancing & champagne everywhere! So fun.

My favorite meal of the trip? 

New Year's Day brunch at the Beach Club, complete with

black-eyed peas (see, Mother!), chicken & waffles, mac & cheese... all the good stuff.

(NO PATE!)

I hope your 2013 is the best yet!

I had the best time ringing in the New Year with two of my favorite girls in the world!

Thanks, H & E, for a fab weekend!!

I'm already ready to return next NYE...

xoxo