Looking Back at 2017!

2017 was a very eventful year for the Smith family and for Crazy Blonde Life!  I remember the Vision Board Workshop that I did with my friend Susan Crews in January and I had no idea what the year would bring.  It all started on Christmas Eve 2016 when Sarah and Will told us they were getting married.  We were surprised to say the least, but even more surprised to find out that they planned to get married in February!  Shortly after the 1st of two weddings that they would have, Lauren (my oldest daughter) and her husband Chris, told us that they were moving to Atlanta.  In just a few short months, my daughters all moved to different states!  Rebecca had moved to Boston in September of 2016.  Needless to say, this has been a year of packing, traveling and a lot of blogging.  I'm sharing some of the highlights of the year in this post!  Even though it was hard to have everyone move away, I'll have to say that this past year was a pretty amazing one!  I personally didn't have any choice but to decide to make the most of things and I realized that I could choose to create a life that was wonderful or I could choose to create a life that was unhappy!  I have been doing my best every day to choose happiness and it's been pretty amazing!  Be sure to click on the links as you scroll through for recipes, inspiration and videos!  This is a long post!  I hope you enjoy!  I'll be back with a new post on January 3...have a great weekend!

This picture was taken for Southern Home Magazine in December of 2016 to be featured in the December 2017 issue.  We waited almost a year for the magazine to come out with pictures (read the post here) of our home.  It was so exciting to open the magazine and see the rooms that we live in published!

Sarah and Will right after their wedding in February.  I've also included the recipe for my Smoked Chicken Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette in this post as well as the recipe for Orzo with Roasted Veggies!  Both recipes are amazing to make for a crowd!

I took this picture of Hudson on the day that they moved to Atlanta.  He has grown and changed so much since then!

I had the opportunity to be part of a fashion show at Anthropologie in Greensboro, NC.  The clothes were beautiful and I had so much fun, but the best part of the evening was making new friends.

This quote was from my 2nd most popular post this year about the Law of Attraction.  I totally believe in the Law of Attraction and applying the principles has changed my entire life.

Sarah, Katherine (Sarah's now sister-in-law) and me at Hayden Olivia Bridal Boutique in Charlotte NC, where Sarah found her beautiful wedding dress.

I had the opportunity to do a fun collaboration with the girls at Pure Barre in Greensboro!  I created an e-book for them with a weeks worth of recipes for healthy eating.  You can download it here!  Just scroll down the page and you'll see a place to leave your email!  Once I receive your email, the e-book will be in your inbox!  I tested and photographed each of these recipes and they are all so healthy and delicious!

One of the most amazing experiences of the year was hearing the one and only Gloria Steinem speak at the Create and Cultivate Blogger Conference in New York.  

One of my most popular recipes of the year...although not one of my healthiest was this tasty Buttermilk Pie!  It is my very favorite pie!

This recipe for healthy Chicken Noodle Soup is as delicious as it is nutritious!

I discovered Cabi clothing in the Spring and fell in love with this off-the-shoulder top!

This picture was taken at Sarah's bridal shower.  I served delicious Shrimp and Grits and you can get the recipe here.

No summer is complete for the Smith family without a trip or two to Bald Head Island!  If you've never been, Bald Head is an island off the coast of North Carolina that is only accessible by ferry!  We have been going there for thirty years...it's our beach!

I started a Crazy Blonde Life YouTube Channel in December of 2016 and have made 18 videos to date!  You'll love this video on how to make delicious Roasted Asparagus with Pancetta!  I'm excited to improve my videos and share more fashion, food and more with you in 2018 so be sure to hit the subscribe button and like the videos after you watch!  Please let me know if there is anything you would like to see!  I'm planning on doing some yoga videos coming up!

I collaborated with a French company called Héliquadrisme over the summer and was photographed wearing their beautiful scarves (see the post here).

Nashville has become one of my favorite cities!  While I was there in October, I made a video of my favorite places that I have discovered so far!  There is so much more to see and do, but if you're planning a trip I recommend all of the places in the video!

We had a very warm fall and these two outfits were just a sample of some of the things that I wore!  I'm sitting here now freezing as I write this and wishing for warmer weather!

Beautiful Sarah with her Grandmother (my mom) at her bridesmaids luncheon!  If you don't know about the Southern tradition of cake pulls, you'll love to read this post!

Sarah and Will's "first look" right before their wedding ceremony!

I had more fashion posts than ever this year on Crazy Blonde Life and this Cabi coat was one of my favorites!

A handmade platter by my daughter, Rebecca Leigh Smith!

I have an exciting collaboration coming up with The Face Magazine!  If you haven't seen this magazine, you should definitely pick up a copy!  The photography is amazing and if you love fashion, you'll love this magazine!

Hudson, this year at Thanksgiving!  The year literally flew by and since November, it's been a whirlwind of parties, cooking and family!

There is nothing like New York City at Christmas!  I had so much fun taking pictures with Jeanne Rene Barousse and wearing this spectacular skirt!

Rebecca and me on Christmas Morning!

Sara-Anne Caudle took this picture of me wearing my Anna Cate Collection top!  It's one of my favorites!  Anna Cate is a local designer and her line is filled with pieces for every occasion!  I've loved wearing her clothes and I especially love supporting a local entrepreneur!  See more of Anna Cate's clothes here!

I'm ending with this picture because it's one of my favorites!  2017 was a year filled with joy and some tears, but one I'll never forget because of the beautiful memories!  Thank you so much for supporting me on my journey with Crazy Blonde Life!  I hope you'll subscribe to my newsletter and check back often!  I have big plans for the new year!