I got to write a cookbook with my sister! This was by far one of the most fun and fulfilling projects I worked on this year and a total dream come true. I can’t wait to see what you guys think when it comes out this spring.
I got to visit the beautiful country of Chile with my husband and a few good friends. It was just magical. You can see a video we shared about the trip here. I got to go on a few fun trips for the year, and Chile as well as Big Sur, CA were among my favorites. 🙂
We opened the Golden Girl Rum Club in early 2016! We are coming up on our first anniversary, which I am so thankful for. As many of you know, small businesses and especially restaurants/bars often struggle or close within their first year. We certainly learned a lot this year, and we’re so glad that we’ll be sticking around for a while longer. 😉 Thank you, Springfield!
I have a feeling I know at least one thing that may be on Elsie’s list, so take it away, sister!
Hey, guys! This was an incredible year!!! I know people are always talking about how hard 2016 was (and I feel that too—trust me), but for now I just want to point out all my favorite parts!
The most exciting part of 2016 for me was launching our app, A Color Story. It was a huge passion project for me in 2015. We spent almost the whole year working on light, bright airy filters for the app. But seeing the app being used by ALL OF YOU was just the most amazing thing. I scroll through the #acolorstory hashtag every day to see people’s photos. It’s getting real close to 2 million downloads (in less than a year, you guys!!). I am so proud, so happy and so excited for the future of ACS.
As Emma said, working on the cookbook was so much fun. It’s been a lifelong dream for us, and I can’t wait for it to come out in 2017! We’re planning to even do a mini book tour this time, so it will be fun to meet some of you guys through that. I’m really excited for you to see the concept of the book because it’s something really relatable that I think you will love!
Some of my favorite posts that I worked on in 2016 were My Living Room Tour, Bedroom Progress, Our Sunny Guest Bedroom, Faux Cement Tile, Rosé Slushees, this watermelon margarita (OMG, you guys!), my Palm Springs inspired kiddo guest room (most loved room in my house by all kiddos!), and the DIY I am maybe the most proud of is this acrylic floating frame. Been considering doing a whole wall of them!
Oh & this rainbow accent wall that I can finally admit to you is for our future PLAYROOM. AUGH!
I would say that overall my favorite posts to work on this past year were room makeovers and Sister Style posts. This coming year it’s a goal of mine to start sewing again (I want to make a TON of plush for my baby and maybe a quilt) and to learn to do royal icing sugar cookies. I also want to try to finish touring our home this year! Most of the rooms are pretty close since we did that big domino shoot last summer.
A few highlights from my personal life were our announcement that we are adopting. (Keeping that a secret for almost six months is one of the hardest things I have ever done—ugh!) I can’t tell you how incredible this year has been for Jeremy and me just preparing to be parents. It’s the most exciting thing we have ever done. We even like doing the boring stuff like when we bought baby proofing stuff for our home study. It all makes me giddy!
My favorite vacations were our stay at the seashell house and a trip to Palm Springs and Joshua Tree that was just so special and perfectly timed. This next year I would like to maybe go to Cuba or Aruba, keep with our Palm Springs tradition and maybe visit either Charleston or New Orleans. We’re trying to really embrace our last seasons of being married without kiddos. 🙂 Really these little trips are just a fun way to distract myself from getting anxious about adoption because it’s a long process.
Well I think I just sufficiently overshared! For NYE Jeremy and I are hosting our first ever seven course dinner party… we are making everything and we are so excited! I’ll let you know how it turns out. Haha! Hopefully not a disaster!
xx -Elsie
Credits // Author: Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman. Photography: Amber Ulmer and Janae Hardy. Photos edited with the NEWA Beautiful Mess actions.
17 Comments
I really want to try out madewell jeans! I keep hearing wonderful things about them!
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You both look so good! Love your outfits. Elsie, please can you share some of your recipe inspiration – I think I saw you clutching a recipe book on one of your Instagram Stories.
Can’t wait to see what you both get up to in 2017! Thank you so much for doing what you do – I love your blog!
Both outfits are gorgeous! Both of you accomplished so much in 2016! I’m sure 2017 is gonna be even more amazing and I wish both of you the best.
Sounds like you both have had an amazing 2016.. I hope 2017 will treat you well too TheNormcoreRebel
I really like your Sister Style posts. You guys pick the cutest outfits, and the reds you’re incorporating are so perfect for this time of the year!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
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Congrats to you both on an amazing year! You’re so inspiring! And thank you for still providing content through the holidays! I appreciate you and your team working hard while so many bloggers have, deservedly, taken a break at this time. Those of us stuck at work really appreciate the fun distraction and inspirational content to get through the day. 🙂 This is my favorite blog for sure!!
Happy New Year ladies!!
Cute outfits, as usual!
Happy New Year! I can’t wait to see what 2017 has in store for your blog – I read it almost daily!
Lena – http://zoyaandme.com.
Sounds like 2016 was a tremendous year for both of you guys! I know there was a lot of rough stuff going on in the world, but I too feel like 2016 was a good year for me, personally. So excited to see what you guys do in the new year.
Also, Elsie, your hair and sweater are ADORABLE.
Happy New Year!
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Love the pops of red in both looks LEXI LIKES
Elsie, you inspired me to buy cute clogs this year and I get compliments whenever I wear them. Thanks, girl!!
Man, what an exciting year for both of you! Can’t believe Color Story only came out this year – feels like I’ve been using it forever 😀 Congratulations on a fabulous 2016, can’t wait to join you for 2017!
I adore the red coat! x
Jessica — NinetyCo
Love your bag and cardigan Emma!
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Happy New Year! Love your blog, A Color Story, and will probably sign up for one of your classes this coming year. Congrats on everything and I hope you’ll consider swinging through Athens, GA on your book tour! Much love heading into 2017. <3
New Orleans would be a great place to visit AND a great stop for your book tour 😉
Happy New Year!
Wishing you an awesome 2017 🙂
You guys always look great in your style posts and I must say, this is a favorite! Elsie, your outfit here is rather simple and you still look stunning! Great job. 🙂