Happy New Year!

You can almost feel it in the air, can't you?

Last year was harder than most. Which has left me feeling so crazy optimistic about the year to come. I'm not sure what's causing it, but I really do believe that this will be a wonderful year to remember. With that, I've decided to forgo resolutions this year, in exchange for the goal of really truly listening to my gut. Going with the flow. Being myself, 100%. And above all, having fun. 

Welcome 2013! 

I've been waiting for you. 

...

{Finding Inspiration: Resolutions}

As you may have read in my resolutions post, I'm trying to keep this year's goals simple, in the hopes they'll be easy to follow and accomplish. Thankfully there are some pretty great products out there to help me check off the boxes one at a time.

1 - A cute notebook to capture blog ideas & remember new friends and sites.
2 - A new set of fancy colors to inspire nail upkeep. This one too. Love.
3 - A website and app that leave me with no more budget excuses.
4 - An environmentally friendly bottle to carry water with me at all times.
5 - A poster to inspire continuous hard work // blog, job & friendship related.
6 - A start to a birthday card collection, to remind me to send them to friends.
7 - A hilarious book, the first of my book-a-month goal, only 11 more to go. (which includes this, this, and this, to start!)

I also resolve to throw more dinner parties, like this fabulous evening, and start using my little nest to its fullest potential. Finally, you've got to read these accurate, smart & funny resolutions for those 20 somethings that haven't nailed theirs down yet.

What are your resolutions this year?

{Courage to own faults, Resolution to mend them}

{present from my awesome boyfriend who returned from his NY vacation last night}

Resolutions are the funniest thing. Personally, I don't think people spend enough time reflecting on all the good things that happened to them in the last year, instead focusing on all of the bad things they need to fix. I'm tempted to make my resolution for 2012 to continue being awesome (ha!). To end the year on a positive note, I compiled a list of things I loved about 2011, which I'll post tomorrow. You can see last year's "Year in Review" if you'd like.

This year I plan to improve on a few things that are very important to me.

1. Make my blog more of a priority - Pretty self-explanatory. I love this little online journal that I've created, love my dear readers, and find such joy looking back over the adventures I've been on the last couple of years. It is my creative outlet, my way to release stress & my hobby...it deserves a little more attention.

2. Strengthen relationships - Currently, I have two types of relationships in my life. Long distance friendships that I cherish so strongly, and new arizona friendships that are making my time here so worthwhile. Both need a little more time & effort, which is high on my lists of things to do better. When I sit back and look at the wonderful support system I have with friends across so many states, I can't help but smile. I want to be more considerate, more thoughtful, and much more proactive. And also send birthday cards.

3. Drink more water. A lot more.

And of course I have a few goals that I'll plan to work at, like sticking to my budget, throwing more dinner parties, blogging more outfit posts, meal plans, spending more quality time with the boy sans-phone, keeping my nails painted, working hard at my job and reading at least one book a month. Oh and working out more. Like everyone else & their mom.

*the title is a quote I hacked. Writers privilege. It should say "How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them." - Benjamin Franklin

{there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so}

My one resolution of the year:

Be positive.

Being positive makes me nicer which makes me feel better. 

Being positive makes me childishly excited about the little things which makes me live better.

Being positive makes me happy which makes everything better.  

In lieu of more resolutions, I made a short 2011 bucket list:

1. Do something on Friday or Saturday of every weekend - get dressed up, go somewhere fun, just leave the apartment!

2. Take two pictures of myself a week (do I hear fashion posts coming? maybe!)

3. Attend a wedding

4. Blog at least 15 times a month

5. Take a trip

 {sorry for the douchy myspace-esque picture}

Alright people, here it is! 

Picture #1 of 2011. 

Anxiety. 

Fighting the camera shyness one day at a time.

 Wearing: dress by Urban Outfitters, watch by Michael Kors , Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI

{because life really is this beautiful}

new year&new goals:

1. blog!
2. get a job in the industry (post-grad!)
3. be healthier-work out more, eat healthier ( chocolate can only be the answer to my problems SOME of the time...)

Is it cheating if I add graduating to my list of goals? I know it is happening, I just love being able to cross things off. My list, my rules.

4. GRADUATE!
5. start carrying my camera around everywhere, and document! life is meant to be captured.