Southern Belle in Training

Fashion, Travel & Lifestyle Blog || Est. 2012 || Virginia Beach, VA

December 21, 2017

Preparing For a White Christmas...

     I have always wanted to do blog photos where Christmas trees are sold, and it's something that I never got to cross off my photoshoot location checklist while living in Charlotte. Maybe that worked out for the better... because getting to shoot amongst freshly snow covered Vermont Christmas trees for sale was really quite magical! The only thing not so magical was the weather... it was seriously 10 degrees when Amanda and I were out here! But we made it happen anyways, and I think it was worth it! I'm also getting real at the end of today's post about how to get real with yourself when the holiday season is filled with personal anxieties and stress.


Preppy Plaid Coat + Christmas Trees

Vermont White Christmas Outfit



Vermont White Christmas

Christmas in Vermont Outfit

Preppy New England Christmas Outfit



Photography by Amanda Rose Photography 



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Coat c/o // Sweater // Jeans {not online, very similar here} // Boots // Earrings c/o // Lipstick: LipSense in Bella // 




      It is very hard to find a winter coat that is still cute and fashionable, but can also keep you warm and insulated in New England's bitter cold winter temperatures. I am so pleased to report that this gorgeous coat  checks off both of those boxes! It actually kept me quite warm and toasty on the freezing morning that Amanda and I were out shooting these pictures, and I think it has the most darling plaid pattern as well! I know I'll be reaching for this coat many more times during the upcoming months of winter. A note on the sizing- this brand does tend to run smaller, so I ordered a M. It is a bit large, so I probably could have gone with a S (my normal size) and been fine. But sometimes it's good to have coats a little larger- that means you can wear a super thick sweater and scarf underneath and still have extra room! 


      I am a fake Christmas tree girl all the way (check out this blog post to see how I decorated my tree this year!), but I do think there is something very beautiful about Christmas tree farms or lots. Vermont is very big on all things local, so it wasn't surprising to me to learn that they have tons of tree farms here! Amanda and I stumbled on this little tree lot set up in downtown Shelburne, a quaint lakefront town near Burlington, and taking these photos there really did get me into the holiday spirit!


      This year could be my first white Christmas in several years! I have gone home to Maine every year for the holiday (minus a couple years where my parents and I have traveled), but the last few years it has been mild in New England for the holiday! One Christmas a few years ago it hit 60 degrees... not even joking (it was also my dream come true). Definitely a warm weather girl! Well- I might finally get to see a white Christmas again this year whether I like it or not! Snow is headed for Northern New England on Christmas Day! I'm just hoping the snow will coordinate itself around my driving schedule so I can make it home safely.... and be able to get home at all!


     
      Getting real for a second about something not related to cute coats and Christmas trees- the past couple weeks have been really rough for me personally. I struggled with anxiety and depression in high school, and honestly I don't remember feeling as awful as I've felt lately since that time in my life several years ago. It seems a bit ironic, to be dealing with lots of anxiety, stress and uncertainty, in what is supposed to be the most magical time of the year, but I guess that's what adulting can sometimes bring. I am trying to make some positive life changes for 2018 following my holiday travels, in hopes that the new year will be one filled with less stress and anxiety, and more joy and peace. I can get much more into detail about all of that in another blog post! But just for right now, I did want to share that it hasn't been the easiest few weeks. Sometimes in this Instagrammable world that we live in (especially at the holiday season I feel like), it's easy to see pretty pictures and assume that all is happy and perfect in someone's life, but that isn't always the case. It's always good to keep it real and speak up and seek support if you're dealing with a lot. 😊   



      Happy Thursday! Thanks so much as always for reading. Y'all's comments always truly make my day! 



      My whole outfit is linked below:







     God Bless,



     xoxo Annaliese
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16 comments

  1. I'm 50 years old. I follow you because my young nieces do, and I keep tabs as best as I can on their social media activities. I want to complement you on your message about speaking up if you're going through something. Kudos to you for figuring out at such a (relatively speaking 😉) young age that mental health is as important as physical health. It's a wonderful message to share. I send you my best wishes for a Merry Christmas and safe travels.

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  2. Such a fun photo shoot, I love that coat! And I totally understand what you're going through. I have some anxiety issues, and now that my parents are gone this holiday season isn't as fun and happy as it used to be. These emotions are definitely something more people go through than we all realize! If you ever feel like talking I'm always here! :)

    xo
    Sami
    The Classic Brunette

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  3. I live in upstate NY and I am SO excited for that snow heading our way! I am all for a white Christmas myself.

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  4. Aww hope you're able to make it home safely -- drive careful! Good for you for being honest about dealing with anxiety and the blues this time of the year. While it's certainly no fun; I think it's so important to break the stigma about talking about mental health. Hoping you can relax and unwind with some downtime for Christmas.

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  5. I've never had a white Chrostmas before, and this may be my first. I'm traveling to Michigan with my boyfriend to meet his family, and I don't think my little southern self is going to survive the cold. I don't lol bein cold at all. I could definitely use a coat like this for my trip.

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  6. Such a cute coat! And I finally made the switch from a real to fake tree this year haha - we love it!

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  7. This coat is absolutely beautiful! Like you said, I'm always struggling to find a coat that's both warm AND fashionable. NEED this one!

    xo, Taylor (www.tayloramead.com)

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  8. I can relate to wanting to have a White Christmas. I live in the South and I have never seen snow as beautiful as in your pictures.

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  9. These photos came out beautiful! Merry Christmas :)

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  10. Such a beautiful location! I loved all the snow on Christmas!
    -Nicholle
    www.nichollesophia.com

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  11. These are all so beautiful! Snow is THE BEST! Especially in pictures. Hope you had a very Merry Christmas!

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  12. That coat looks so beautiful and warm! Perfect for the winter weather!!

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  13. That coat is SO cute!! We had a White Christmas and it was the best thing ever - everything is 10x more beautiful!

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  14. You look amazing and that coat is so cute! Perfect Christmas coat!

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  15. I just love love love that coat! It looks so cute and actually warm!

    xoxo, Paige

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