Looking Back + Looking Forward

Another year has come and gone... How many times have you read that on a blogger's recap post this week?! I won't bore you with the details of every single month or detail that has transpired during 2011, as I'm sure no one is as interested in them as I am myself. (Kind of a Catch-22 with bloggers, isn't it?! Hmm..) Anyway, I've said it before and I'll say it again, 2011 was a whirlwind year for me + this little blog.

A few highlights include...

+ A roadtirp to Wilmington, NC with two of our favorite people, Susannah and Chris. and getting engaged on the riverfront, canopied by twinkelights and captured on film. (I can't imagine better people to share that moment with!) Here's Mike take on it + Susannah's too!

+ Getting whisked away to NYC to stay at the Ace Hotel and attend the International Women's Day Celebration hosted by Levi's + Vogue. (Thanks for the trip, Levi's! View photos here!) 

+ Turning 23 + making my 23 before 24 list of goals! Still have a handful that I need to complete in the next 3 months! Here's to hoping I can do it! (♥)

+ Moving into our factory converted loft and trying to make it our Home Sweet Home. Full of shoes, twinklelights, and furry little lovemuffins (our pups!). (See the Loft Tour posts here: Twinklelights, Bedroom, Wardrobe [Updated], Workspace [Needs Updating], and Outside)

+ Deciding to launch a new handmade hair accessory shoppe, Hive + Honey. It's been a labor of love, though I can't wait until I can devote more time to it as a vital part of Honeybean.

+ We managed to sneak up to Chicago at the end of June and surprise Susannah for her birthday! It was all under the 'guise that we were driving to Northern Kentucky to foster a bulldog puppy. We were sitting on her couch when she walked in from work! That was one of my favorite parts of the year! (We also went back in September for Renegade Craft Fair but of course I'm awful at taking pictures!)

+ Making the decision to push forward with my dream of owning a small independent shoppe by joining the mobile biz craze and making Honeybean Mobile Boutique a dream come true! We unveiled her once we brought her home! Now you can shop online during the winter months, too! Lots more inventory to come! I'm even more excited about our next step...

+ We brought a sweet kitty (we named her Enid!) into our family and we're now compete as a family of 5. We took our first ever holiday card and we're preparing for another, even better, year to come. 

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

It really means so much to me knowing that so many of you take time out of your busy day to stop by my little slice of the internet. The web is such a crazy place if you think about it! I've grown to become such close friends with people I never would have had the opportunity to meet had it not been for this little blog. I know it sounds silly to say but I count my lucky stars every day to have the opportunities that I do. Pursuing my dream of owning my own businesses wouldn't be possible if it weren't for y'all! There are days I question myself as a blogger, and this entire blog in itself. But then I'll get an email or a comment that makes it more than worth it. I know I'm not out there changing lives in a huge way. I'm not curing cancer or lobbying for governmental change, but even if I can only bring a little sunshine into your day, I'll consider that a success! Thanks for making this so fun and exciting for me... It's like we're all on a journey together. Let's make sure 2012 is the one to remember! 

I'll be sharing my "New Year's Resolutions" in the next day or two! I'd love to hear about yours, too! So long, 2011. You were awesome, but 2012 is going to kick your butt! xo

2011 Outfit Recap

This year has been a crazy one for my wardrobe. That probably sounds really silly, but it's true. In early 2011 I was just a simple, black bow flat lovin' gal and I was insistent that I'd never "love shoes"... Are we all rolling our eyes yet? Um yeah. I found three cute pairs of wedges/heels at Target one fateful day in February and my closet has exploded with platforms, ugly shoes and wedges ever since. Heaven help us all. Now I'm a little too obsessed and my "collection" is kind of embarrassing. At least we're making progress here! I really love showcasing my ~*personal style on LCH simply so I can see the mega mistakes I've made (yowza!) and fun ways to switch it up. It's kind of awesome to be able to look back and actually see personal growth and evolution. My outfits almost solely consist of cardigans, dresses and tights (still), but there's an occasional doozy every once in a while. These are my favorites of 2011...

January

Spring Fling in the Snow // Blackberry Winter

February

Strawberry Seeds + Lemon Flowers // Cloudy Magnolia Berries

March

Future Safari Space Hunter // Cranberry Lace Cowgirl

April

Modcloth Blogger of the Moment // 70's Lady

May

Graduate // Date with the Night

June

Country Cabin Bumpkin // Berries + Wheat

July

'Murrica // Honeybrick

August

Sunbaked Clay // Ruffled Sage

September

See You in September // So Long Sweet Summer

October

Two if by Sea // The Hot Dog Dress

November

She's Gone Country // Black Swan

December

Strawberry Rain // Heavy Metal Princess

If you're interested in 2010's Top 12 Outfits, you can see those here! (They're grainy and so dated, but still! Evolution!) I kind of can't wait to see what 2012 brings. Hopefully the faintest idea how to do hair/makeup so I can look less like a 12 year old hot mess! Oh, and I hope to get better at ~accessorizing (though I'm not a fan of jewelry... hmm!)

Do you have any favorite outfits of 2011? Yours? Mine? Another blogger's? Share them below! Inspiration should be celebrated!

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