Is it too early to be in a slump?

Maybe it's the fact that the weather has been so cold that I have been in hibernation for the last 4 days, but I feel a slump coming on.

It's too early for that right?  I mean, it's only 7 days into the new year.  I haven't even had time to fail at my goals.

Here's to staying warm and eventually taking a shower - yep, I said it.

Getting Organized in 2014

Late yesterday evening, Leslie send me an email asking if I was going to participate in Apartment Therapy's January Cure.

The premise, is the follow along with the 30 activities during the month of January to kick start your year of progress.

So I figured - why not.  I love organizing and making progress and feeling like I'm accomplishing things.  Why not.

So I signed up.

Basically, they send you an email every day with what your "project" for the day is.  Interested?

You can still sign up.

It just started yesterday and yesterday's task was to walk through your house and make a project list.  Then narrow down that list.

This weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) is to buy flowers, mop and vacuum all floors and get your green cleaners together.

You can also see the PDF of the full month.

So if you are interested, sign up.

I will be finishing my project list tonight and was already planning on a good cleaning this weekend - so I'm totally on the ball! :)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm openly admitting that I was/am not happy about having to go back to work.  I really enjoyed my 10 days off.  It was very busy at times, but I enjoyed that.

I wasn't planning on doing anything for NYE, but my friend Jes invited me to be her date to the party at the Palmer House.  I figured, since I have not ever been to one of those big hotel parties, I should give it a shot.  Plus, I have a good time hanging out with Jes.

I threw an outfit together - and tried to work it with my newly darkened hair.  :)

It really was an interesting party - though we only stayed for a couple of hours.  Celebrated midnight and then headed off to another bar where Jes's friends were hanging out.

2014 Goals

Am I the only one that really looks forward to the end of one year and the start of the next?  I just tend to get really bored and enjoy that "fresh start" feeling.  This year I felt especially anxious for some reason.  So, yay 2014.

2014 Goals:

1. GET REGULAR EXERCISE/COMMIT TO THE GYM - This is priority #1 for next year.  I HAVE to be committed to getting into shape.  No excuses.  As I said in my December goals, I have a feeling that I may have to find a way to go to the gym in the morning - which is really going to suck.  But it might just have the happen.

2. DEVELOP THAT CAREER PATH - I think I have now determined where I see myself in the next 10 years... so now it's getting me onto that path.  I also NEED to take the test for the CAE certification in 2014, hopefully in May.

3. BE MORE WILLING TO BE SPUR OF THE MOMENT -  Let's call this one priority #2.  I think to make time for my social life and I need to work on being more flexible to do things spur of the moment.  This is not something that I am traditionally very good at.  I tend to schedule my time and really prefer/enjoy my down days when I just get to crash at home with Samson.  So I want to work on this.

Goals Update: December

YAY, these goals are over with.  They really dragged on for me this year.  Boo.

1. Complete at least 2 items from my 101 IN 1,001 LIST each month - I did one!  #Winning

2. GET IN SHAPE - hahahahahaha.....  oh sorry.  No, negative.  Let's just say, this is becoming one of three goals for next year.  With major emphasis.  I am a little worried that I am going to have to give up more sleep during the week and get up at 4:30 to go to the gym before walking Samson and going to work.

3. EAT BETTER -  This one got boring fast.  I don't eat that bad on a regular basis.  So this one seems stupid now that I look at it.

BRING ON THE 2014 GOALS!

Holiday Honesty?

Guys, can I be honest with you for a second...

I am tired of blogging.  My life is getting busier and not in the really exciting aspects.  And I am struggling to find things to write about.

I feel back that I used to write 4-5 times a week and now I'm lucky if I get one mediocre post out a week.

So I'm not sure if I am going to continue this blog into 2014.  I might keep it up in the instance I feel a motivation to write or if I have something semi-exciting to post... but I probably won't be writing much.  Or at pressure myself to write much.

For now, I'll continue to write when I can and I will create 2014 goals just in case.

Cookie Party Recap

Sorry I am overdue with this post.  It's been a busy couple of days since the party.  Samson and I had a rough Sunday and I stayed home on Monday to keep an eye on him.

Anyways, the party was great.  A good mix of people and most came and stayed for a pretty decent amount of time.  I'm glad so many of my family could come out and a few friends who happen to be in town at the perfect time!

I tried to snag a few photos of the layout before everyone arrived - and an outfit shot, because I know at least one of you would ask...

In my cleaning frenzy that morning, I had to move all the wrapped presents from the floor of my dining room to under the tree (really where they belong).  I definitely think gifts under the tree completes the whole "Christmas tree" feeling.  Only downside - less of my cute tree skirt was showing! :)

I borrowed the drink bucket from my parents again which works out perfectly to stick cold bottles of wine and beer in.  That way people don't have to grab stuff from the kitchen.  It's not showing in this picture, but you can see it in the background of the photo of Samson.

The buffet that I DIY from the Ikea shelves, is the perfect place to layout the drink section.

This year I made a few more appetizers than I did last year.  Surprisingly, I still had a lot of cookies leftover after the party.  My family will be happy I still have some for next week.

Finally, this is officially becoming Samson's spot during parties.  He provides him the escape from people's feet, but also gives him prime location to scout innocent party goers who are willing to give him treats.

As soon as I put the cookies out he started camping out there.  My guardian.

As for what I wore, it was kind of spur of the moment.  I like this shirt because it's festive without being obnoxious.  That being said, there were quite a few Christmas sweaters at my party.  I may have to think about that for next year.

After spending countless hours watching youtube tutorials on vintage hairstyles and all the makeup application tutorials, I feel pretty confident that I can get a very vintage look without too much work.  It's definitely becoming my go to look for parties.

 The shirt I got last year from Express; skirt is old from Macys.

Finally, a closer look at the hair and makeup thanks to a goofy Instagram selfie.