State of the Budget

Since it is officially the end of January (insert the usual freak out here about how quickly this year is moving, already, and other such stuff that makes me feel generally old…), I thought now might be a good time to hold myself accountable on the internet for the state of things…particularly those things involving my resolve to STOP SPENDING ALL OF THE MONEY, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD, WOMAN, SHOW SOME RESTRAINT FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE!!

So, yeah. That.

I would have to say I’m a work in progress, I think.

Personally, I’ve done a decent job of things. I’ve removed myself from almost every email list that I used to be on, so I’m no longer tempted by all of the pretty pictures that used to show up in my inbox every day, and I’ve found that without daily reminders of whatever sale happens to be going on right this very moment, I don’t have the need to spend-just-to-save. And more importantly, I haven’t been inside a Target for all of 2012.

That’s right. I win. Target loses. It has nothing on me!

(As long as I don’t try to go inside of one, anyway…)

With all of these safeguards in place, I’ve not had much of a problem keeping myself within my $50 limit for frivolous purchases, even with a dinner and lunch out, plus a refill on some ‘essential’ make-up (otherwise known as foundation, not a 300^th color of eye shadow), so I’d consider this month a win from that perspective.

In regards to the family budget? Eh…

I have not been quite so successful.

There was the trip to Home Depot to pick up paint samples that ended with me hauling home a new shelf, a folding table, and a can of chalkboard spray paint. None of which were really needed, but all of which were really needed in the heat of the moment. In hindsight, though, I am still pretty happy that I bought these things, so I’m going to cut myself some slack. Same goes for the more-expensive-than-it-needed-to-be Bed, Bath, and Beyond k-cup order I placed, because I bought all seasonal flavors that were on sale, so I got more for my money, and now I’m set for a good month or two, at least.

But the two trips to Bath and Body Works, to buy more candles and more soaps when I already own ALL of the candles and ALL of the soaps? I should maybe not do that in the future. Same goes for visits to the Pottery Barn outlet, to buy clearance Christmas decorations. And trips to Costco for veggie burgers and spinach that end up costing A LOT more than the price of veggie burgers and spinach.

In fact, I probably just shouldn’t be allowed in Costco at all, anymore.

I mean, it worked for Target, right?

A walk in the park...

I know that this warmer than normal winter we're having should have me worried about the general state of the environment, and it really kind of does, but that hasn't exactly stopped me from enjoying it at the moment.

A picnic in January? Don't mind if I do...

And...what I wore for the picnic, because not all of us can pull of the Rapunzel t-shirt/hooded sweatshirt look. And every time I don't actually get dressed, I always seem to run into one of the other mothers from the neighborhood. And we wouldn't want that, of course...

T-shirt: Gap

Sweater: Gap (outlet)

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Cole Haan (Off Fifth outlet)

Friday Round-Up

I know I always brag about my fabulous weekend plans on Friday, like housecleaning and laundry and other exciting such stuff, but this weekend, I'm taking things up a notch. This weekend, we're going to...

(drumroll please...)

...the RV and camper show in downtown Atlanta!

I would sell my house for a deluxe RV in a heartbeat, I think, so this show will either be exceptionally fun for me as I look at all of the options out there, or exceptionally depressing when I realize I don't have an extra $500K lying around for the tour bus of my dreams.

We shall see...

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And now, for the things I loved this week:

I've now realized that my home will never be truly decorated until I am in possession of a gorgeous birdcage. As long as there are no birds included of course, because yeah...I have issues.

I think I link to something or other that Amy posts every darn week, but I can't help it. I love everything she writes, and now I need a whimseybox subscription.

I love both outfits in this week's Two Birds - Tuesday Remix, but Nora's pattern combination is just my absolute favorite!

If you need any help picking out Valentine's gift ideas for yourself (yeah, right!) or another favorite lady in your life, the Style Lush gift guide is here to help! And yes, there's some ideas for the man (men?) in your life, too...

And of course, you can check out my own Style Lush post from this week, where I gush just a bit too much about the possibility of free eye shadow...

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Happy Friday, all!

In case you've forgotten what I look like....

Oh look...there I am!


When I made the decision to take my blog from strictly outfit posts to something a little broader, I never had any intention of doing away with the outfit posts completely. And then I got busy. And my camera was commandeered by the husband to take pictures of our child (I know, I know...the NERVE, right?). And I just got out of the picture taking habit.

But, I'm coming back! I swear! I WILL POST PICTURES! Because I just have more fun getting dressed in the morning, when I know there will be photographic evidence of whatever I put on.

And to push myself back into things?

Terrible iPhone pictures! Taken in the bathroom at work!

You're impressed, aren't you?

(Honestly, the main reason I settled for these photographs of such fantastic quality was because I couldn't wait any longer to share the lovely scarf I received in the Just Expressive scarf swap, from the swap queen herself. Let me tell you, that lady has excellent, excellent taste...) 

Dress: Calvin Klein (Off Fifth Outlet)

Scarf: World Market (who knew?!?)

Cardigan: J Crew (outlet)

Let's talk about smoothies...

My child refuses to eat anything green. She is the biggest fan in the world of just about every fruit known to man, but if you try to slip her a vegetable of any kind, you might as well just end dinner immediately.

It's not happening.

So, my husband has taken it upon himself to try to disguise the vegetables in her favorite foods. We've tried every puree out there, like cauliflower in a cream sauce or squash on her grilled cheese. But nothing has worked. I swear...she's on to us. Even if you can't taste it, she knows it's there.

It would actually be kind of impressive, if it wasn't so darn infuriating.

One of his attempted tricks involved making her a green 'milkshake' (smoothie), consisting of spinach, yogurt, strawberries, and a banana. She hated it.

I, however, LOVED IT!

I honestly couldn't believe how much spinach I was consuming in one sitting, and I've been hooked ever since. So, now I'm on the hunt for new smoothie recipes. My favorite involves A LOT spinach, a little peanut butter, a banana, some Greek yogurt, and a little honey to take away the bitterness of the yogurt. And it's good! I'm excited! I've never minded spinach in the past, but I'm definitely consuming a lot more of it now!

But, I probably need to branch out a little. I'm trying to keep the vegetable/fruit content high, the proteins a little leaner, and the sugar at a minimum, which is actually kind of harder than it looks. Are there any other smoothie fiends out there? Where would you go to find some new combinations?

I read a book!

Actually, I read three books this month, which means I'm already a quarter of the way through my 2012 goal of TWELVE! WHOLE! BOOKS!, even though I feel like I maybe cheated a bit, as those three books consisted of The Hunger Games series.

But, still, three books! That's one book away from topping my entire total from 2011, so I'll take what I can get right now.

I ended up landing on these books to start my year because, well, we already owned them. And my husband had already read them, and I knew he was going to want to see the movie at some point, and I absolutely REFUSE to see a movie where he knows the ending and I don't.

So, now I know the ending. HA, Steve! Just...ha.

(He totally doesn't care, by the way...)

But, even after reading all three books, I'm not exactly sure how I feel about them. I didn't really like the main character all that much, although I'm not entirely sure if that's because I didn't like the character herself or if I just didn't like the situations she was constantly finding herself in. Sure, I was rooting for her to succeed against all odds, but it was more because I wanted to see the peripheral characters succeed, and that couldn't happen without her. The subject matter of the books is dark, dark, dark, so there is no way to wrap things up with a 'happily ever after' bow, and while I don't really find that neccessary to enjoy a book, the entire thing just left me a little...unsettled.

Which, I guess, explains why I can't figure out what my opinion is on things, one way or the other. It might take me awhile to make up my mind, it seems...

And this is why I need to find a new book club, obviously.

(Also, oddly enough, my ambivalence on the books themselves has IN NO WAY diminished my excitement to see the movies, when they finally come out. I get goosebumps seeing the action I've pictured in my head come to life in the trailers/pictures that have been released so far.

I am as confused by this development as you are...

Maybe this means unsettled really does equal love, in my mind?

I DON'T KNOW!!)

Friday Round-Up

So. Friday...

We meet again.

And where last weekend's plan consisted of oh my word, if I don't finally get this house cleaned/organized/put back together from the vacation we took THREE WEEKS AGO!!!, I will absolutely lose my ever loving mind, this weekend is a little more open. Tonight, Steve and I are heading out with his brother and his brother's girlfriend for our January Broadway Series show offering, which is apparently a big marching band performance. Set in a theater.

I don't know quite what to expect, actually, but according to a preview video I watched, there appear to be a LOT of drums involved. It seems...loud.

Whatever. Our seats come with free drinks, so I'm sure I'll enjoy it immensely.

Then, Saturday and Sunday...I've got nothing. NOTHING! I'm kind of looking forward to that part of things. And to round things out, Brigid and I have plans to meet up with Jen and her daughter on Monday, to play with all things princess. Not a bad way to spend the day at all, I think.

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And now for what I've loved on the old internets this week...

I kind of want to go out and buy red pants and cognac boots, just so I can copy Angela's look from head to toe. And also, Tara's skirt. And belt. And shoes. And blazer, for that matter.

I constantly struggle with how to reconcile what I feel/wear as a(n almost) 32-year old mother, and what I remember my mother looking/acting like when she was in my position. This post just kind of sums up all of those feelings for me. I hope I'm doing it right...

I want to buy ALL of the doilies and do ALL of the related crafts. I also want to keep typing doilies over and over again, because it's one of those words that starts to lose all meaning the more you look at it. Doilies. Doilies. DOILIES!

One of my new favorite blogs, A Brooklyn Limestone, pointed me in the direction of this gorgeous empty frame tutorial by Lindsay, and I love it. Now I want to buy all of the frames, too, to go with all of the doilies.

Doilies. Heh.

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And don't forget to check out my post at Style Lush this week, where I talk of nothing but Disney princesses.

I fear I may be becoming the worst possible mommy cliche, ever...

Wishlist

My shopping ban is still going strong. With the exception of a couple of things I've picked up for the house, I am well within my $50 limit for the month, and even that was only spent on things like lunch, dinner with a friend, and body wash.

You know, just the essentials.

But that doesn't stop me from window shopping, you know...

I want a Birchbox subscription, so much. I've wanted one for awhile, now, but I couldn't bring myself to actually order it, because I was trying to save money. And while it's only $10/month, I just couldn't justify putting out the $110 needed for a yearly subscription when I was cutting back on my spending. So I didn't get one. And now it's sold out. Just in time for my birthday.

Sad.

My mother-in-law got me a tea-leaf brewing travel mug for Christmas, and I have been dying to try it out. Unfortunately, I have no loose leaf tea in my house.

Must. Remedy. Immediately.

I've just always wanted a lazy susan for my kitchen table. But nice ones are expensive, and I just don't feel like shelling out that much money for something like a lazy susan.

It's quite the conundrum.

I very, very, very much love my iPad. I do, however, get tired of the touchscreen keyboard, so I have to take both the iPad and my netbook with me, everywhere I go, so I can pull out the netbook when I want to type with a real keyboard. So, the iPad cover with the wireless keyboard would both solve that problem and just be awesome to have.

And if that's not the epitome of spoiled brat statements right there, I don't know what is. I feel insufferable, just typing it. But, the heart wants what it wants, right?

Ugh. Whatever, I'm an idiot. Feel free to noogie me the next time we see each other...

LAPS

At the beginning of last year, I took part in a two month blogging weight loss challenge, and even though I didn't win the challenge, meeting the wonderful people I met through the contest was worth every penny of my contribution to the eventual winner's prize. When it was all over, several of us wanted to stay on, to keep going, because the support system we'd formed made the task of healthy living seem less daunting than it had in the past. For us, it wasn't so much about the money, it was about making lasting changes, and knowing that there were others out there trying to make the same changes you were. It was about having somewhere to turn when you were having an off day, when you just needed to vent to someone instead of eating an entire roll of Oreos in one sitting. It was about seeing everyone else's small victories, and being inspired to chase those victories down yourself.

So, we kept it going. And it's been awesome.

It hasn't stopped me from splurging here and there. My weight is still up and down more than I'd like. I don't exercise like I should, and I consume way much more sugar than is good for me.

But, when I fall off of the wagon, at least I know there are people around waiting to pull me back on. And that's a nice feeling to have.

The hardest part of healthy living is always the exercise portion of things. I never have any problem adding fruits and vegetables and lean protein to my diet. I can do a pretty good job of cutting calories when I need to. Yes, I eat too much sugar, but even that is something I can control if I really put my mind to it. But exercise...

Hoo, buddy. There are just so many other things I want to do with my time.

Unfortunately, I suffer from something I lovingly refer to as 'old-lady metabolism', and when that is combined with something else known as 'you've had a baby...your body will never, ever recover from that', diet alone just isn't going to cut it.

So, I guess you could say I'm working up to it. In one of the Facebook discussions with the group, someone mentioned that her plan was to do at least 10 lunges, 10 crunches, 10 push-ups, and 10 squats every day for all of 2012. We call them LAPS, for short (Lunges, Abs, Push-ups, Squats, of course...), and even though it's not much, it's kind of a nice way to start the habit, I think. It's quick and it can be done anywhere, at any time, so I don't have an excuse not to do it every evening.

We actually started in December, and I am proud to say I can actually do the 10 push-ups now (not the knee kind, either), which I couldn't do before. I've increased the number of crunches, I've increased the number of squats. And I plan to start the 30-Day Shred here, sometime soon.

So, I can get there. I can make it a habit. I know that I can. But man...

Exercise still sucks.

Pinterest says...

A few weeks ago, I posted over at Style Lush about my Pinterest inspirations for redecorating some of the spaces in my house, now that the Christmas decorations were down. And even though my results don't necessarily mirror what I'd pinned, I am still choosing to think that enough of my inspiration came from my pin boards to count this as my January Pinterest project for my 2012 list. It's my list, and I can do what I want, right?

 

Right.

I wish I had pictures to show what my house looked like before I decorated for Christmas, because I moved A LOT of stuff around after the fact, but I don't (you can, however, see what I had up for Christmas, itself, here). I'm still not sure I like the buffet in the library, because it just seems a bit too cluttered for my taste, but I'll consider it a work in progress. And the wall above the buffet in the dining room is still empty, but I WILL have something up this year. I hope.

If I can ever get my 'I can say I don't have an opinion all I want, but I have yet to ok anything you've picked out' husband to agree with me on something, anyway...


(Are you following me on Pinterest? Am I following you? We should totally fix that, if not...)

Friday Round-Up

Another week, another Friday. I should be more excited about this, right? Instead, I have to work today, while my husband takes Brigid to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D. Boo!

But, I am easy to please, so all will be forgiven if they just remember to bring the leftover popcorn home with them to appease me. And, maybe, add some 'butter' topping on the way out of the door?

It doesn't take much to make me happy again...

Now, on to the links!

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I am on a big 'let's save money!!!' kick this year, because despite having two, full-time working adults with good jobs in our household, I'm not entirely sure we are saving as much as we should be saving. Don't get me wrong...we are definitely saving something. I am not a finance nerd for nothing, you know. But, we could be saving more, I think. So, I really loved this post on little ways to cut back...so much so that I brought down a stack of Brigid's baby washcloths that are too small for bath time, but that might just be the perfect replacement for the quick paper towel rubdown she gets after every meal.

Who doesn't love a good 'how we met' story?

This? Right here? This is why parenting is so awesome and heartbreaking, all at the same time. It's also why, despite what a pain the entire process of bringing a little bundle of joy into the world can be from time to time, I hope I am blessed enough to do it again.

I am absolutely making the 'time of the month' jar, because after 10 years together, my husband should know better than to ask me that question. And if he doesn't, then he deserves to pay me for putting up with him, I think...

While I am not completely against negativity on the internet, because sometimes you just need to vent (and nobody is going to be all shiny-happy-people all of the time), it's still a good idea to remember that if negativity is all you put out there, that's probably all you're going to get back, too. I think most of the people I follow tend to be pretty positive across the board, but sometimes I think my own negativity seems to be getting out of hand.

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Also, while it doesn't necessarily qualify as a favorite link of the week (particularly this week, because I completely forgot I had a post due on Tuesday until about...oh, around 10pm on Monday night), I always forget to link up to my weekly Style Lush post, which makes me a terrible self-promoter. I really need to work on that...

Or not. Whatever.

Anyway, go forth, and read about my love affair with the Chi flat iron my sister bought me for Christmas. Because it is a love that runs deep, my friends.

The last reserves...

I had a ton of pictures stored up from right before Christmas that I never got around to posting, and I figured I could hang on to them to post at a later date, on one of those days where I just didn't feel like getting out of my sweatpants. And now I'm down to my last one. Apparently, I've been lazy these last couple of weeks...

This was my shout-out to the Georgia Bulldogs, the day they lost to LSU in the SEC championship game. We were heading out to meet some friends to watch the game at a restaurant, and since Steve's brother and sister both went to UGA, I thought I should probably show my support somehow. Sadly, the one Georgia t-shirt I own has some bizarre black stains on it, so red shoes were the next best option.

Actually, red shoes were the first best option, if I'm being honest, but I was afraid they might kick me out of the game watch for mentioning that...

Sweater: Loft

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Kenneth Cole (outlet)

Wristlet: Macy's

Bracelet: Lucky Brand 

Sugar Rush

One of my resolutions/'things to do' this year was to give up sugar for the months of January and February. Part of this decision was driven by my sister's upcoming wedding in the Dominican Republic, because...goodbye to jeans and sweaters and hiding from the general public, and hello to bathings suits and cameras and pictures that will be around for-e-ver.

Things are definitely not beach or wedding ready in the weight department, you know?

But the other part of the decision hinged on my ridiculously crazy sweet tooth, and the fact that I can shovel through a bag of M&Ms like nobody's business if I don't monitor myself incredibly carefully.

Oh, and also, the realization that all of those Oreos I consumed while pregnant may just be the cause of my daughter's own sweet tooth didn't hurt. Thankfully, her sweet tooth extends just as much to grapes as it does to chocolate at the moment, but who knows how long that will last?

One way or another, I need to set a better example for her.

And I'm trying. Really, I am.

But then, I had a bad day yesterday. And it kind of compounded a couple of other bad days that have been had recently. And Steve was traveling for work. And Brigid didn't want to go to bed. And I didn't really want to deal with any of it. So I took to stress eating any form of sugar I could find in the house, which just happened to be stale candy corn.

I'm pretty sure that's the definition of a sugar problem right there, because candy corn isn't my sugar of choice on a good day, but stale? There was probably a better decision to be made at that moment, is what I'm saying.

I'm a work in progress, I guess. Here's to making that better decision today!

EBEW: Black and White!

Well, if this month's EBEW challenge wasn't right up my style alley, I don't know what is. When I looked in my closet to plan today's outfit, I counted no less than EIGHT!!! black and white dresses staring back at me.

That is a lot of black and white, friends, and when you consider the fact that this doesn't even come close to taking into account the various blouses, sweaters, and skirts I own that also belong in the black and white family...

...well, let's just say that this is why I can't be trusted to shop these days.

Guess it's a good thing I'm taking the year off, then, huh?

 Dress: White House Black Market

Boots: DSW

Bracelets: Mango Tree/Lands End Canvas

Necklace: Banana Republic (outlet)

My lady-crush...

So, I have a confession to make. I absolutely adore Emily Blunt. She seems lovely, in a normal kind of way. Her interviews are always funny, she's ridiculously pretty, and I am apparently a sucker for an English accent, no matter who is speaking. Her character in The Devil Wears Prada was one of my favorite characters, ever.

And she's married to John Krasinksi. Enough said, right?

(And as much as I love Michael Buble's voice, I've lost a lot of love for the rest of him, since he chose to marry a model, 10 years-ish younger than him, over the fabulous Ms. Blunt. But then again, she rebounded with John. So...point, Emily.)

Anyway, can you imagine how excited I was when the ladies over at Two Birds picked my lady-crush for this week's Inspiration Monday?

Hint: I was pretty freaking excited...

T-shirt: Gap

Button-up: Old Navy

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Converse

Happy Monday!

Friday Round-Up

I am so, so very happy today is Friday. I have big plans for this weekend. BIG PLANS! Plans that involve...

...cleaning my house, doing laundry, finally uploading my Christmas pictures to post on my family blog, possibly starting the 30-Day Shred, and finishing the last book of The Hunger Games trilogy.*

I like to live life on the edge.

Here are a few of my favorite things from around the web this week:

I WANT THIS NECKLACE! Granted, I already have a necklace devoted to Brigid that I adore, but this one is just so pretty, too. Obviously, I need them both.

Sometimes, taking a break from social media is just what the day needs.

I know I should be embarrased to admit that I watch The Bachelor, but I'm kind of not. In fact, I kind of love it. And the MamaPop recap makes me laugh, every time I read it. I'm so glad they brought it back this season...

If you are a runner, or even someday dream of being a runner, and you enjoy a nice adult beverage from time to time, you probably need to enter to win this shirt. And if you don't win it? You should go buy one, anyway. It's all kinds of awesome.

Have a fantastic Friday!

*I'm...not exactly sure how I feel about these books, now that I'm working my way through the second one. I can't stop reading them, because I absolutely HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!, but I don't know that I like to protagonist all that much. She kind of annoys me, if I'm being honest. And I've cried my way through significant sections of the first two books so far, because the premise is just so heartbreaking, although not necessarily in a good way. I'm holding out hope that the final book brings it all back for me, in the end. At the very least, I will have knocked three books off of my 2012 to-do list within a week, so that's something, right?

Catching Up

I am still working my way through the last couple of weeks of blog posts in my feed reader, but I will get there. Even if I'm not commenting on the posts, I hate leaving them unread...it's part of the anal retentive side of my personality, I think. So, I keep trying.

I had even managed to pull the number of unread posts under 100 on Tuesday evening, while watching The Bachelor episode that I'd DVR'd, but then...

Well, then I started The Hunger Games. And it is so good. And now I have to read all three books before I can do anything else. Because that's how I operate.

So, maybe I'll see you all again after the weekend?

Shirt: Gap

Sweater: Gap

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Cole Haan

Necklace: Banana Republic (outlet) 

Resolutions (sort of)

There is a very lovely person that I know through the Lush Family/various online health and fitness support groups we both participate in/Twitter (but her account is private, so I can't really link to it here), who does not do resolutions. Instead, she picks a single word in January, to be her 'word to live by' for the coming year. Resolutions are made to be broken, but a guiding principle? Well that just seems more manageable. It's a good idea, right?

I, in fact, thought it was such a good idea that I totally stole it for myself.

So, what is my word for 2012, you ask?

(Ok, I know you didn't really ask, because nobody cares all that much about someone else's NY resolutions, but just humor me here, if you don't mind...)

Well, after much internal debate, I landed on 'purpose'.

See, I have this problem...I am very much a reactionary person. Things just kind of happen around me, and I take it as it comes. I only applied to the college I ended up attending because I wanted to see if I could get in. Then, when I did, I figured I might as well go. I picked my major on the very last day I could declare a specialty, strictly through the process of elimination. I knew I was going to be a business major, but I didn't feel creative enough for marketing, accounting was most definitely not my strong suit, and I don't even remember what the other choice was (I think it was something IT related...and as Steve would tell you, no. Just...no). So, finance it was.

My husband planned our wedding because he had an office in which to make phone calls, and I didn't really have a grand plan for how the whole affair should look. I mean, I handled most of the little things, like the final decisions on colors/flowers/cake/invitations, but even that all just kind of got decided without too much trouble on my side.

(I would very much like to get married again, though, just so I could Pinterest the event. My sister has a board for her March wedding going right now, and I am JEALOUS. Maybe I will Pinterest a make-believe wedding, just for the fun of it?)

I kind of stumbled into jobs at both of the companies I've worked for. I had two requirements when we were house hunting in Atlanta, and that was it. And we ended up ignoring both of those requirements, anyway. I never know what I want for dinner or what I want to do for the weekend or where we should go when we're on vacation. The list goes on and on (and drives my husband more and more insane).

And the thing is, it's never been a problem. Notre Dame was the absolute, most perfect place for me. I could not have asked for a better experience, a better education, or a better group of friends than I got there. My analytical mind could not be better suited for finance, and I really have a (somewhat disturbing) love for spreadsheets that makes my current job a pretty good fit for me.

My wedding was gorgeous, my house is lovely, I haven't missed a dinner, yet.

Things just seem to work out. But still, I'm kind of tired of just waiting for things to work out, I guess.

I'll be 32 in February (that's February 18th, if you want to add it to your calendar, so you can remember to tell me that I don't look a day over 25 when I'm lamenting my graying hair and wrinkles...), and I guess it just seems like it's way past time to grow up, to take some responsibility for things. So I am.

Purpose.

2012, I will own you.

As part of my year of purpose, I have taken a page from Jennie's book, and made a list of things I want to do this year. Nothing earth-shattering, mind you, but it's always nice to have a plan...and now my plan is listed in the sidebar for all to see. So I HAVE to stick with it, don't I?

A few to clean up...

I have some old outfit draft posts lying around that I might as well put to good use while I hash out any changes that I might be making this year, right? I'll ease into the 'new me', maybe...

My house is a mess. An absolute 'I wasn't home for over a week, and then I took down Christmas decorations instead of unpacking and sorting through mail and dusting and vaccuming' mess. Originally, my big plans for this evening involved cleaning this mess that hasn't been touched since I got home, but I have last night's episode of The Bachelor on my DVR, just begging me to be lazy for one more night, so I can watch the trainwreck that is this show's version of love.

Decisions, decisions...

Dress: Loft (outlet)

Boots: DSW

Tights: Loft (outlet)

Bracelet: Charming Charlie 

Oh, hello there...

Well, I've been gone for awhile, I think. I hope you all had a lovely, lovely last couple of weeks! I definitely did, but now my Google Reader feed is crazy full (I plan to skim most of the posts, but my comments may be a little limited this week...but I've missed keeping up with my lovely Internet friends!), I have a sick kid at home who is currently in the habit of sleeping with mommy and daddy at night, and I have to go back to work tomorrow. Boo.

But. But!!!

After being gone for a week and a half visiting various family members for the holidays, I came home to a lovely Secret Santa gift from Stacia of free to be Stacia Lee:




Thank you so much, Stacia! I CAN'T WAIT to watch this movie, again. I LOVE it. And also, thanks to Viktoria and Mary for hosting the Secret Santa swap!

On a different note, I think there might be some changes around here, starting this month. I very much love this space, and I definitely don't want to abandon it entirely, but I think I may have to change direction a bit. I don't know that I have the time or energy this year to keep up with daily outfit photos, as much as I love the style/fashion blog community. Between Brigid and work, not to mention Steve, my growing Pinterest obsession, and the fact that I read all of four books last year, I think I'm going to have to figure something out, for my own self preservation. I've been working on my plan (for myself, for my family) for the year, which I'll share here at some point this week, and I think I'd like to have this blog focus a little more on that, with the occasional outfit posts still thrown in from time to time (because I can't give it up, entirely, you know...).

So, what do you think? Would that be interesting at all?