Resolutions + Goals

Thanks so much for all of your sweet words on my blog's redesign launch last night! I'm tickled pink that you like it (see what I did there?!) I thought I'd talk about some goals and fun resolutions today in order to keep the New Year momentum going!

I'm never really one to make "tangible" resolutions for the New Year. I use those mainly for my 23 before 24 lists and such. But still, I thought I'd really try and make this the most magical year by vowing to stick to some ideas! Below are a few things that I'm aspiring to accomplish...

Twenty Twelve // Resolutions + Goals

1. Be true to yourself. Always. // I'm choosing to showcase my life to the entire world... I want to make sure I'm accurately depicting myself. The good, bad + ugly. I started this blog as a way to meet new people + share my "journey". It doesn't do any good to try and play Keep Up with a hundred other bloggers when our stories aren't even remotely similar.

2. Take more candid photos. // It's been a while since I've taken a film camera out and just shot random photos for the sake of doing it. Mike + I used to do that daily when we lived in Spring Hill + Franklin. I'm determined to get back on that horse. I always have a disposable camera in my purse so here's to putting it to good use!

3. Budget... and more importantly, stick to it! // We're getting married in 9 months (!!!) and so much still needs to be done. Buy the dress, all the crafty DIY stuff, figure out rentals + catering, accessories + Mike's outfit, pay the remaining photography balance, and make reservations for our honeymoon. We've got a lot of work ahead of us!

4. Save for brick + mortar shoppe. // I thought Honeybean would help quell the desire to have a brick + mortar shoppe immediately, but all it really did was fuel the flame. I love Honeybean and I hope she's part of my business for many many years to come, but I also can't wait until I have an actual storefront. Measures are being taken and plans are being made. It's happening... it has to.

5. Expand Etsy + Honeybean. // Moving forward with our online (+ mobile) businesses will be a great way to help prepare us for the daily grind of working in the shoppe. This year I plan on taking Hive + Honey, as well as Honeybean, to the next level as far as blog sponsorships, giveaways, and promotions.

6. Think before you tweet. // I have a tendency to forget my filter when it comes to Twitter. No one cares about half of the stuff that gets posted, and a fraction of the other stuff is just rants + complaints anyway. I need to chill it with that. 

7. Make good decisions. // Vague much? This can be anything from "Don't buy those shoes", "Eat a carrot instead of a cookie" or "Go to bed earlier so you'll get up earlier"... A few bad decisions here or there definitely make for an exciting ride, but I need to keep myself in check to help ensure that I'm making the right decisions for me + my family.

8. Last but not least, Branch out! // I'm naturally shy (No one seems to believe that?!) and am pretty reserved with people. I open up a lot fairly quickly I suppose, but I'm still one that will avoid a party at all costs because I'm so socially awkward. I've met so many rad people via this little blog and hope to continue that into this new year. Hopefully I can break out of my shell a little bit... We'll see!

What are some of your new year's resolutions + goals?! I'd love to hear them! Link me over if you've made a post or feel free to share below!

The winner of the iPad 2 giveaway is announced in the original post!

23 Before 24...

This birthday has been spectacular, and nothing extravagant has even happened! I love the little things in life. They make everything totally worth the while! We signed the lease for the loft (hooray!) and we've spent the day picking out paint colors and patterns for our new little home. We are overjoyed. So now I'm going to share with you my 23 before 24 list of goals I'm hoping going to achieve by my next birthday!

click to see full size!

Mike's favorite is totally number 12! (/sarcasm) haha I know it's important to balance out tangible goals with the not so tangible, but these are 23 things I find to be important at the moment and I have a whole slew of other things to add to it! I'll probably need all of your help! Well, however helpful you can be through the internet!

Do you have a list of things you want to accomplish before you turn a year older? Share some of them with me! (Or link me over to your post!)

PS; Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes today! You've made it absolutely fantastic and the overwhelming love and support I have from y'all is amazing!

PPS; To clear up confusion about #21: I did graduate. Well, I finished college in December, but O'More doesn't have winter graduations so I have to wait until May to walk at graduation and to get my degree. :) haha It's a special day because graduation day is also my mom's birthday! Having your only child graduate college is a pretty rad birthday present right? So I don't have to buy anything?! *kidding* :P

In 2011...

♥ (via) ♥

In 2011, I hope you find the strength to let go of those people and things that are keeping you down. Let go of lost loves, bad habits, and negativity. Shine a little brighter, walk with your head higher, and smile at everyone you meet. Shake hands with a firm grip, indulge in chocolate when you crave it, and try to incorporate a little bit of glitter in every outfit. Spend a little too much on your favorite lipgloss, and pinch more pennies otherwise. Make it a rule to say "i love you" to at least one person every single day, even if it's to yourself (you deserve it). Write a list of your hopes and dreams, and sleep with them under your pillow each night. Thank those who inspire you, and aim to inspire others. Wear your fanciest dress to do the laundry, and don't forget to say "please" and "thank you". Be a woman of morals, grace, and gratitude. Promise yourself that you will give 2011 your absolute best and don't settle for anything less from others. This is your year. This is the year you were born to shine. It's going to be the best one yet! Can you tell I'm excited?!

Here's to the New Year!

While I said last year that I don't typically play into the "new years resolution" bit, I will admit that I was a bit more excited to whip up a few of my own this time around. I tried writing them out and scanning them in, but then I realized I'm not really keen on my handwriting, so typing will have to suffice!

This year has been a whirlwind for Mike and I. I recapped most of them in our Year One: In Retrospect post earlier this month, but even as an individual, 2010 taught me so very much. I feel as though I grew up a lot in this year and I hope that it spills over into the next. While time may just be a means of measurement for some, I've decided to put on the optimistic face and make sure that I'm making the most of absolutely every single day and situation... New Years included!

I wish I were able to spend it out and about, celebrating with friends, but duty calls and a bartender is needed on this night. Mike will be spending it with me so that's enough for me. Just thinking that this might *hopefully* be my last year working at the bar makes me giddy because that means big changes for our little family!

I don't typically make "concrete" goals because I don't want to punish myself for not fulfilling them in the exact way they were first intended. Instead, I'll share with you some of my personal goals and resolutions, as well as some for the blog!

2011: The Year of Magic!

Personal Goals and Resolutions

• Tolerate no negativity. I feel as though I do a fairly good job of this as it is, but in 2011 I will allow absolutely no one to bring me down for any reason whatsoever. Woo!
• Work on a set schedule at home. I will be working from home (aside from the bar) so I need to be up at a certain hour, doing certain things until a certain time, and have a schedule to keep me on top of it!
• Get organized! My computer, my studio, my life... everything! Everything should be in tip-top order so we can hopefully have fewer speedbumps along the way! 
• Work out my penpal system! I need to be more on top of replying and not losing items/letters! I'd like to devote a set amount of time per week to reply to everyone who writes to me!
• Welcome change! This year is sure to be a big one for us. With two moves in the plans (more on those later), that alone will send our world into a tizzy. This year will be full of big decisions and I'm so so excited!
• Work on chasing my dream career! That means sewing sewing and sewing those dresses! That's right, you heard me! I'll be working my fingers to my bone, but it will be so worth it!
• Work on saving money! Sounds a little mundane and vague, but we're fairly good at it as is... now it's time to put it into hyperdrive and really make it count! We're ready to get a head start on life so bring it on!
• Make every day magical! Every day and every situation! Stuck in rush hour traffic? Turn up some music and let myself go. Or write down lots of ideas rushing through my head. Anything. Just make it a positive situation.

Blog Goals

• At least 3 outfit post a week! I'm really really going to try!
• Introduce new and exciting features on the blog! I have so many fun things lined up for 2011! I know you guys will just love them! I can't wait to share!
• Read and comment on more followers' blogs! I've found so many amazing blogs just by clicking through some of my followers who comment! You take the time out of your busy day to share in my life, and now I want to share in yours too!

Thank you guys so much for sharing in what has definitely been the best year yet! To think I started off this year with maybe 200 followers at most, and we're ending like this?! That's the best feeling ever! I can't imagine my life without this sweet little blog! I've met so many amazing people through it and I hope to meet even more! Let's go, 2011! I'm ready! xo