As if California Funk needs more ego boosting [Direct quote: “The one thing I’m not good at is being humble.”]… but seriously, he does take really good photos.
How amazing? LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
Not my best year of outfits- but here are some of my favorites! 2024 was all about feeling comfortable in my skin. I was eight and nine months pregnant in January and February- and then freshly postpartum. I wore four different jean sizes (five if you include maternity!), had to start the process of rebuilding my shoe collection (my feet grew 😭), and I’ve been breastfeeding this whole time so lots of buttons. I tried to lean into more colors and elevated everyday styles. I embraced my body no matter where I was on the scale and stayed true to myself the whole time, while still experimenting and trying new things!
Some highlights:
@tuckernuck Callahan dress
@jcrew denim skorts (and staples, as always)
@alice_walk cashmere wraps and gauzy linen shirt
@varley leggings and pullovers
@favorite.daughter hoodie (my emotional support sweatshirt at the moment)
@annmashburn cap toe Mary Janes
@cuyana small pouch + @llbean boat and totes
@oldnavy barn coat embroidered by @bobinettedesigns
@agolde, @levis, and @mother denim
@onequince cashmere fisherman cardigan
@shopdoen Leanne dress
@kiltecollection chic cashmere sets
@warbyparker eyeglasses + @celine sunglasses
Our year can undoubtedly be measured in love 🫶🏻. While 2024 wasn’t without its challenges, it was also overflowing with moments of joy and gratitude. Welcoming Rory into our family in February was the absolute highlight—nothing quite compares to the magic of those first newborn days.
This year was also filled with adventures to some of our favorite places and plenty of meaningful time with friends and family. Rory has grown from a snuggly, snoring newborn into a lively ten-month-old who loves to eat and play with his big brother. And Jack? He’s gone from my baby to a full-fledged kid—a social butterfly with a love for all things sports (and the skills to match).
For me, this year was a whirlwind—a beautiful mix of the magic and monotony of motherhood: pregnancy, delivery, breastfeeding, and endless caretaking. But amidst the chaos, I found space to nurture myself and pursue what lights me up. I embraced new hobbies (hello, sourdough baking!) and deepened my love for old ones (Rory’s needlepoint stocking is finally complete, and I read 50 books!). I prioritized my well-being with new workouts (@sotomethod has been a game-changer!), dialed in my beauty routines, and even got my colors done.
I also stepped outside my comfort zone, making my first investment in a company beyond my own and hitting a few stretch goals that felt out of reach just a year ago.
Here’s to a year of love, growth, and resilience—and to the excitement of all that 2025 has in store! 💫
This and yap 🤍 Don’t forget to create holiday magic for yourself too! I can’t tell you how nice it was to do some gingerbread decorating without having to follow a three year old’s vision (or fight the sugar battle)! It’s fun to do it with kids, too, but sometimes you just need coffee, baked goods, and little bit of kid-free catch up time with your mom friends! Thank you for hosting @blueskyehouse!!
I wrote down a list of things I wanted to do for fun in 2024. I crossed off exactly zero of them (having a baby will do that to ya) and my only hope of accomplishing one would be to host a cookie exchange! I wanted to SO bad but I was also feeling exhausted after a long year (losing a dog, having a baby, running a business, etc.) and I didn’t know if I had hosting a party in me. I sent out the invitations and told myself I’d figure it out. There was no going back! It was SO FUN though and I will be doing this again. I feel like so much of the holidays as a mom is spent making the magic for kids. It’s Santa meet and greets, Christmas shopping, holiday pageants…. And then seeing Santa again (and again and again). THIS party was for us! 🥂
He is a fabulous photographer! I was in that chapel once. I went on the pro-life trip my sophomore year of high school and we went to some pro-life conference at Georgetown (we were more interested in shopping). I don't remember much (we had girls asleep in the chairs and snoring during a couple talks) but the chapel was very pretty.
SO pretty!
I know, I'm bomb.com
So gorgeous!
Let's see more of Carly's great photography…have seen yours before and you are a GREAT photographer!!! CA FUNK is good but how about a contest for photography.It might be fun!!! We followers could vote!!!
Betsy
That photo is gorgeous! and your blog is adorable!
What an interesting perspective. Thanks for sharing ! xoxo