// Summer Bucket List: Adventures with Toby

I love the idea of Summer bucket lists… or any kind of bucket list I guess. I just like lists, really. To do lists, grocery lists, you name it. But even better is when they’re adventure lists. Fun things I want to do with someone I love. At the beginning of last week I had tweeted that I was hoping to make a Summer bucket list for me and Toby to try and do before the baby comes next month (!!!). Nothing fancy or elaborate, but little dates that we could share together. Part of my 26 Before 27 goal list this year was to go on at least one Mom + Toby date each month, and this is sort of an extension of that. I know we’ll be stuck at the house a lot more once this baby comes and I don’t want him to get too bored or discouraged. He’s almost six years old (what!) and he needs to have the opportunity to behave like one, right?

(♥)

A few people suggested some really great ideas and I slowly built my own little list of things I want to do with Toby. Again, the list isn’t overwhelming or too lofty since being 8.5 months pregnant means I move at a much slower pace than a 5 year old, but I think it’ll suit us just fine. Here’s what we came up with:

1. Park dates!

I try to take Toby to the local park regularly just so he can stretch his legs, climb on all sorts of contraptions, and socialize with kids his age despite it being Summer. Even though I can’t hang on the monkey bars with him, it gives us both a chance to get out of the house and get some fresh air.

2. Froyo!

Toby loves him some frozen yogurt and he thinks it’s such a treat when we go because he gets to get his own cup, choose his own flavors, and pull the little yogurt levels to fill up his bowl. That kid can put away the stuff fast, too!

3. Mid-day pool parties!

Once this yucky, wet weather clears out, I’m hoping we can make it a priority to pop over to my parents’ pool for part of the day, at least a few times a week. I could use the sunshine (and weightless feeling!) and Toby could use the energy-draining ha! He’s always so tuckered out from the fun and sun when we get home that he takes a nap, so that’ll allow me the opportunity to have some uninterrupted work time. Win/win! (Unless I take a nap, too…)

(♥)

4. Pick wildflowers!

Toby loves to pick flowers for the ladies in his life. He’s constantly bringing them to me (as seen here), my mom, nana, and Grammie Terri. I thought it’d be a fun little adventure to hop in the car, head out into the countryside and find as many lovely wildflowers as we can. I’m a sucker for my weekly bouquet of flowers, but who can say no to fresh flowers that are free?!

5. Bake something!

Another thing Toby loves to do is help in the kitchen. He’s fascinated by the Kitchenaid mixer and he’s a pretty good taste tester. Plus enjoying the fruits of your labor is kind of awesome.

6. Berry picking!

>This one will be a little bit harder to do since we don’t really have any nearby berry farms. I could cheat and say “Oh we do this all the time in my mom’s strawberry patch!” but I want to take him somewhere more established. He devours blueberries, raspberries and blackberries like they’re candy, so I know he’d love it!

(♥)

7. Make popsicles!

The perfect excuse for a sweet, frozen treat this Summer! I’ve been collecting a few recipe ideas for us to try out, so if they turn out well, I’ll be sure to share them on here, too!

8. Disposable camera adventures!

This is one of my favorite things to do with Toby! Since Mike and I are film photography lovers, we want to share that same magic with Toby. Of course we can’t just give him our Nikon film bodies and let him shoot (1 - because they’re heavy! and 2 - each roll of film costs about $50-$60 to develop!) Luckily he can snap away on a little $4 disposable and sort of get the same effect… at least for now. We want him to experience the thrill of not knowing what’s on the roll, and the excitement of seeing the processed film for the first time. We’d like to think it’ll teach him not to be so concerned with instant gratification, but he is only five and we maybe idealize it a bit! haha

9. Morning “coffee” date!

When Mike and I would regularly drink our coffee on the front porch each morning, Toby begged to have “coffee” so he could join us. We’d let him choose his daily coffee mug and we’d fill it up with chocolate milk, then sit on the porch and enjoy the crisp morning air. I think that’s the perfect way to start the day and since it’s just me and Toby here in the mornings, I want to share that little tradition with him again.

10. Cook dinner for Dad!

Since Mike works so hard at school every day, I think it’d be nice if Toby and I treated him to a yummy, home cooked meal one evening. I’m no Monica in the kitchen but I think we could whip up something that is at least edible… ha! We’re aiming high here, people!

(♥)

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Who’s to say that all of these will get accomplished, or that we won’t nix some and replace them with something even better? Who knows! But I want to bottle up this short time that we have left as a family of three and make as many memories as possible. I know things will be amazing when there are four of us, but Toby will only be 5 for a couple more months… He’s growing up so fast! I want him to be able to look back and see just how much fun we had when he was little.

If you have any fun suggestions to add to our list, I’m all ears! I know I’ll think of things as the days progress but I’ll never turn down some help! I’ll try to remember to document a little bit of each adventure to share here, but let’s be real - it’s usually easier to just live in the moment, right?

// 26 Before 27 - Goals and Intentions

I'm only two weeks tardy to the party this year! I didn't want to rush my list and fill it with a bunch of useless mumbo jumbo. I'm trying to be very intentional with my time this go around since I know bringing in a new baby will have a learning curve of adjustment. I also wanted to make sure I sprinkled enough stuff to cover personal attention, family, business life, and all around fun. There are definitely other things I hope to accomplish in the next 12 months, but these are what I decided to write down for my annual list. (Here's my 25 Before 26 list if you're interested!) Some are easier than others, and some are ones that I carry over almost every year. Let's hope I can check them all off before turning 27! (I can't believe my next birthday will be my 27th! Where is life going?!) Without further ado...

Despite the fact that Mike and I own several businesses, we don't have a formal business plan. We sort of had one for Honeybean, and then we just started winging it. Now that he's going to be in school full time and I'll be ~*bringing home the bacon, I thought it'd be nice to really lay out a concrete foundation for where I see our businesses going in the future. I definitely have long term goals that I'd like to achieve with each venture, but I don't really have a map on how to get there. Let's give it a whirl!

I successfully sewed some baby leggings the other day (two pair actually!), and I sort of have the nesting bug! I want to do all sorts of little bits and bobs for him, but my patience (and skill set) is limited. Right now I have canvas shoes, bibs (with bowties!) and more leggings on my radar. They seem simple enough, but I'd really like to have a nice little collection of handmade goodies to have for him when he joins us.

Truncated to save you an eternity of scrolling! Click to read the rest of my list!

// The Art of Intentions: Tips For Making + Achieving Your Goals

I've shared a few weekly intentions posts around here, and I love the excitement that tends to come from them. Not only from myself, but from y'all. You get so fired up and I feel like that just sort of migrates its way through the internet, which in turns fires me up. It's kind of awesome when you have that, ya know? My first set of intentions went off without a hitch. I made sure that they were things I truly wanted to achieve, and then I did them. My second list? Ehhhh, not so successful. I think I accomplished 3 of them. I hate failing at anything, so it really got me thinking about the art of intentions and how to ensure success. Here are a few things I've come up with. Hopefully they'll help you make and achieve your intentions!

Intentions shouldn't be something that "make or break" you. They should simply be things that would bring joy, relaxation, and satisfaction to your life if completed. Things you intend on doing. Things that won't totally wreck your world if unattained. You can totally turn every day tasks into intentions, but I've found that in order to be unstoppable in attaining them, you must really, really want them. My first set of intentions featured things like "send more snail mail" and "read Desiderata every day." Those things bring me actual joy in life. I get happy popping a handwritten card in the post. I feel rejuvenated when I read Desiderata in the morning. Heck, I even feel more motivated if I don't see dirty dishes out of the corner of my eye. My second set of intentions ended up being things I just threw together to have a list. That was totally detrimental to my success. Sure, I love to paint signs for fun, but it wasn't something that would complete me in any way. Getting up at 6:30am every day was great in theory, but it was freezing cold and pitch black outside, and even my husband couldn't pull himself from the covers. I managed to get up around 7:30 every morning, which is a feat in itself, but it wasn't the 6:30 I set out for. You see what I mean? I've noticed the same trend in my 25 before 26 (and previous) goal lists. Throwing things on a list just to have a list is totally counterproductive! Instead of feeling motivated and inspired by reaching our goals, we're simply claiming to attempt something we have no desire to really do. Then we "fail" to complete them and we're left feeling unsuccessful and frustrated.

Here are a few tips to help you make and achieve your intentions!

• Only "intend" toward goals that will actually benefit and motivate you in some way. For some people this is washing the dishes directly following every meal (this actually motivates us a ton!). For others it may mean waking up 20 minutes early to get a quick work out in. Intentions and a to do list are two separate things.
• Don't overwhelm your list or yourself with too many goals. If some weeks you only have one or two intentions, that's fine! Put all of your energy and focus into those two things. If other weeks you feel like you can tackle ten intentions, you go girl! Get it done!
• Try to choose intentions that benefit multiple areas of your daily life. A perfect example for us is keeping our house clean each day. A clean house is seriously the biggest tool I've found in how motivated I am each day. A clean house not only looks and feels nice, but it also makes me more likely to be productive. Win/win!
• Think up small rewards for each completed intention or list. Whether you want to treat yourself for each item checked off, or wait until you've tackled the whole list, rewards are great tools for motivation. It can be as small or large as you'd like. Nurture your positive actions!
• Stagger your list with varying degrees of difficulty. Maybe two-thirds of your list is super easy and doesn't require too much effort, but the other one-third is a larger goal to tackle. Complete the easy stuff and let that motivate you to do something bigger and better!
• Break your list down into individual days if needed. I prefer to do weekly intentions, and then a daily to do list. My to do list always includes more menial tasks, but I try to make time to put one or two intentions on it each day. It helps round out my plan and keep me on track.
• Don't get frustrated if you don't complete them. The best part about intentions is that they shouldn't make or break your entire day/week/being. Use them as motivation to succeed, but don't beat yourself up over not completing every single item. Over time you'll start to see a pattern in the way you set goals and achieve them. Maybe you'll learn something new about yourself and hopefully that will help you on your path to short term goal making.
• Make more intentions and lists! Regardless of your track record for completing them, don't stop making these intentions. Make them part of your Monday morning routine if you have to! Just like anything else, practice makes perfect. We'll perfect our methods over time and start to learn what's really important to us as individuals. Even if you totally bomb the week before, don't let that stop you from getting back in the saddle.
• Once you've completed an item on your intentions list, try to continue doing it. Make that intention a habit. Make it a priority to send snail mail or be prompt with your dishes. Let that joy and satisfaction be consistent.

Intentions can be a great first step in terms of self discovery. I've already learned so much about myself just by creating intentions lists for 6 weeks. I've become so much more productive in my daily life, even with things that have nothing to do with my intentions. If you make it a weekly habit, I'd love to hear what your list entails!

Here's my list for this week... short but sweet!

• Clean the office. Let it be the streamlined, productive space it was intended to be.
• Wash the dishes after each meal rather than waiting until the end of the day.
• Make at least one new friend. Online or off - reach out to someone who intrigues me.
• Find time for a coffee date with Mike. Talk business, talk life, talk whatever. Just enjoy it.

How about you? Do you intend on doing anything special this week? Let's hear it!

// Making It Count: My Weekly Intentions

Lately I've been paying much more mind to living with intention. I've noticed how uninspired and burnt out I get when I'm just forcing myself to work, work, work. Things get done, but not in a very efficient manner. Then I'm left feeling too worn out to play with Toby or enjoy my evening with Mike. I thought I'd whip up a little weekly intention list to help remind me of what's important in life. Sure, it's important to work hard, but it's also important that I trim out enough time to play Power Rangers with Toby or help him wash his hair. It seems silly to even think about that, but I think a lot of self employed/work at home types deal with this.

This week my list includes equal parts family, friends, business and self. I want my business ventures to succeed, but not at the cost of my family time or general enjoyment. Over the next 7 days I intend on fulfilling each and every one of these personal goals. They're pretty simple, honestly, but I'm hoping they'll make a world of difference.

This week I intend to:

• Send (at least) five pieces of snail mail. A postcard to my penpals, a short but sweet letter to a dear friend, and maybe a little note to my mailman just to let him know I appreciate him.
• Do something for myself every day. Whether it's lay in the hammock and read a book like yesterday, or pouring myself a glass of wine to enjoy in my bubble bath... a little goes a long way.
• Tackle something I've been putting off. Ugh, I guess that'll include a call to our bank to get all of our account information (interest rates, etc) in order to better manage our money.
• Try to not raise my voice. I'm a parent and a wife... and a human being. And sometimes I just lose my cool. Whether I'm cursing the entire shelf I just knocked over or shouting because Toby isn't minding the rules, I'd like to be a little more collected.
• Read Desiderata every day. I owe a lot of my mindset to this very poem. I've said it time and time again, and I'll say it a million more times during the life of this blog, I'm sure. I notice a huge shift in my attitude and my day when I read this in the morning.
• Do one thing to propel *each* business forward. Businesses can only survive if we nurture them. I intend to work on Him + Honey's new branding, establish new product sheets for Honeybean, work on the wireframes for the blog, organize all of my sign supplies, and compile an updated PDF portfolio of my design work.
• Plan (at least) one unplugged evening. My home life shouldn't suffer because I'm not the best at turning off work mode. Vow to spend more time playing with Toby while the weather is nice, and enjoying life off of the internet.

How about you? Any weekly intentions you'd like to share? xo

// Holding Onto Summer - My (Last Minute) End of Summer Goals

Yesterday Mike and I took an hour long cat nap in the hammock under the big oak tree in our backyard. There are seriously no words to describe how peaceful and serene it was. I'm hoping we can squeeze in another nap in the shade today in between work projects and packing since we head out for North Carolina tomorrow. I'm trying to hold on to every last piece of Summer that I can, although I'm loving the fact that all of our windows are open and I can drink my coffee on the front porch with my morning work without breaking a sweat. September is almost perfect.

As much as I'm looking forward to apple orchards and cider recipes, each falling leaf sends a pang through me. Tennessee is absolutely beautiful in Autumn, but I'm just not ready to see the bare trees. The beautiful, colorful season is so short and fleeting... then it's 6 or 7 straight months of empty branches.

I know there's technically only 3 days of Summer left, but there's so much that I want to do before Autumn is in full swing. A few things I hope to accomplish this week:

1. (Another) hammock nap
2. Picnic
3. Fro-yo date
4. Documenting the environment on film
5. Drive with the windows down and the music up
6. Roadtrip (!!!)
7. Put my feet in the Atlantic Ocean
8. Stay up late laughing with friends
9. See a new city

Some of those aren't necessarily Summer specific, but they definitely make me think of the season. The good news is that I'm on track to accomplish every single one of them before the official end of Summer! I just want to soak up every last little bit of it...

How about you? Anything you want to do/see/accomplish before Summer leaves us?!

// 25 Before 26 - Goal List

* (via) *

I really love making these lists every year... even when I don't even come close to finishing them (ahem, last year!) My 23rd year was great for goal making and achieving, but last year was full of so many life lessons and experiences. My list took a backseat to being a mom, being married, and being a business owner. This past year also taught me that goals don't need to be huge or lofty or "hopefully maybe with a miracle obtainable"... They just need to be things that make life a little bit sweeter. There's nothing on this list that is mind-blowing or awe-inspiring. Instead, there are 25 things that I think will add some sort of value to my life, no matter how big or small. Don't get me wrong -- I still have plenty of lofty, over-the-moon type things to aspire to, and some that I most certainly hope to make a reality in my 25th year. But those are the goals that I realize shouldn't be rushed. I (hopefully) have a lot of life ahead of me. I want to make sure those things come organically and in due time. 

Now, I know I'm two and a half weeks late in sharing my goal list, but I'm already stoked on how many of these things I've started to cross off. It'll be a fun year, that's for sure! 25 doesn't scare me nearly as much as it did 3 weeks ago.

* (via) *

25 Before 26

oo1. Visit a state I've never been to // I did this one in 2011 and it made for a fun day trip to Milwaukee with Mike and Susannah. Maybe this year we'll take a quick day-or-two trip to Mississippi?

oo2. Learn "Gotta Have You" by The Weepies on my ukulele // I started learning the song with Mike over a year ago, but then wedding things picked up and I never played my uke. 2013 is the year!

oo3. Quit biting my fingernails // I'm 3 weeks strong on this one and I'm hoping that'll seal the deal!

oo4. Kneecap tattoo or take my half-sleeve into a full // Ahh, priorities! Priorities that break my mom's heart.

oo5. Host a BBQ or potluck at our new house // make use of our deck and the gorgeous Tennessee sunshine!

oo6. Do 25 Random Acts of Kindness throughout the year // I had intended this to happen on my birthday, but at least now I can really put some time/effort into them!

oo7. Get my motorcycle license... finally // Nevermind the fact that I've owned a motorcycle for nearly a year already. Too bad my legs are too short to properly/safely ride it. Guess we'll be on the hunt for something a little smaller in the future.

oo8. Complete a "A Day In The Life" post at least once per month // Um, it's been a long time since I did one of those...

oo9. Build and plant a flowerbed (or three!) that I'm proud of // Try really hard not to kill everything in it.

o10. Spend time each week reading comments on my blog, visiting your blogs + returning the love, and also clicking through to a few buttons on y'alls sidebars to see what they're all about // Keeping the blog love alive and helping ensure blogging stays fun for everyone.

o11. Create a dedicated design page on my blog along with a updated portfolio // I'll also be working on multi-tier packages and design options to help ensure any and everyone, no matter the budget, can have something snazzy. 

o12. Finally open that PO Box and do more "penpal" type stuff // Snail mail!

o13. Shoot guns // At a range (indoor and out), in the woods, etc ... I miss spending Sundays at the rifle range!

o14. Go on at least one family day-trip // Explore a small town or big city for everything it has to offer.

o15. Get rid of at least 100 items of clothing // I got rid of 58 the week of my birthday (and technically I sent them off a few days after I turned 25... does that count? We're going to say it does...)

o16. Grow vegetables! // As many as our raised beds can muster! Also try to not kill these... Sigh.

o17. Finally sew a motherfriggin' dress! // It's shameful how long this has been on my list... and it's even more embarrassing that I was actually a fashion design major when I started college. Oh bother.

o18. Get my Concealed Carry Permit // Yes, I'm a liberal and yes, I want to have my CCP. No, I will not always carry a gun on me. Regardless, it's a fun thing that we can all do as a family (my parents, me and mike)

o19. Build some daggum furniture // This one was on my list last year... and I failed to do it. But now that we're more permanently settled, the furniture ideas are overflowing!

o20. Shoot at least 1 roll of personal film per month // This can be a disposable camera, or professional-grade film like we use for Him + Honey. Either way, I need to get in the habit of photographing more. Mike and I used to shoot several rolls of film per week... I miss those days!

o21. Buy a GOOD fitting pair of jeans! // This goes against my entire ~*style persona, but I actually really do want a nice pair of jeans... I just haven't found them yet!

o22. Successfully bake at least one batch of macarons // But let's be honest, the second I successfully bake a batch, I'll never stop. Hmm... think this has anything to do with the inability to complete number 21?

o23. Go on a solo trip/vacation with Mike // Could be for one night, could be for seven. Could be an anniversary trip or "just because". Making our marriage a happy and fun one is a huge priority.

o24. Give my office a MAKEOVER! // Now that we've decided just how we'll add on to our house, my office will be making the move from the northwest corner to the northeast (and upstairs! You know, renovations allowing...) A lofty dream for now, but I need to make it suitable for the meantime. Who knows when we'll make the big reno.

o25. Learn to edit video // So often I want to create a video for content on LCH, but something holds me back. It's not my nervous speed talking, sometimes-weird accent, or even the fear of seeing myself in action that stops me, but instead: the ability to edit the video. Cool effects, even just a title bar, etc. I'm determined! Anyone have any great tutorials/resources to share?

Do you make any birthday/yearly goals? If so, what kind of goals are on your list?

Out With The Old - In With The New

To say that I've been blessed with an amazing 2012 would be silly, because to me it's just so obvious it need not be spoken. I became a mom, I got married, I celebrated with all of my best friends from every corner of the country, etc. Just thinking about how different my 2012 was from my 2011 is mind-boggling. It makes me really excited for 2013.

I could go back and share with you all my favorite posts and experiences from this past year, but rather than relish in any of that, I want to make room for new adventures and goals. (I mean, I still have to share our wedding photos and honeymoon part 2, so just bear with me. There will be plenty of 2012 highlight reels in that regard)  Today I want to send 2012 off with a excited wave + goodbye, and usher in 2013 with arms wide open. (*cue absolutely terrible Creed song being stuck in your head* Oh, only mine? Awesome)

Twice a year I make a pretty lofty set of goals. New Years and my birthday (and let's face it, I'm getting up there in years so those "24 before 25" lists get a little exhausting!). Usually New Years resolutions are more "blanket"/generalized goals and ideas, and my birthday list is comprised of goals that have more of a dedicated ending/result. I feel like resolutions (if you make them!) should set the tone for the coming year. Last year my blanket resolution was to be more organized. I'm still not the best, and it took a long time to even get started, but I incorporated some organizational techniques into my daily life that I don't think I'd be able to function without now. (I'll be sharing more of these techniques on the blog soon! What good is a good idea if you keep it to yourself?!) When you live and work in the same ~1,200 sq. feet every single day, organization is key. It's definitely something I want to take into 2013 with me (and I hope all of these goals roll over to 2014 and beyond), but this year's theme is "Growth". Growth as a family (not in quantity of members, but in quality of life), growth as a business, and growth as a person. I think each of these 7 resolutions below will help me achieve that. Here's what I'm hoping for 2013...

All too often I find myself tweeting or tumbling things that aren't positive. They're quick rants, shared frustrations, or just negative in general. I really need to be more aware of my passive aggression, too. I'm a firm believer that you get back what you put out into the world, and no one likes to be constantly bombarded with whining and complaining. I found myself doing that on more than one occasion and I know how much I dislike it, so it's only fair. I'm not saying don't be truthful and honest. Sometimes a frustrated tweet or comment can be a good thing (and your friends will rally you with support so you know it's not *that* bad), but just in general, I'd like to share more positivity in hopes that it radiates with someone.

This is one that I really want to figure out. I chart out my editorial calendar upwards of a month in advance, just to get a generalized outline of what might be going on the blog. They're usually not 100% confirmed, and everything can change with ease, but it helps me get an idea of what I need to be doing on a daily basis to stay on schedule (Hello 2012 resolution!). Unfortunately, I sometimes leave those posts until the morning of to be written... then that requires me to rush, figure out a format, skimp on the graphics and just throw it up there. It's not fun. I'd like to be anywhere from 6-10 days ahead of schedule. Not 100% of the time, as I'd like to allow for the present time, too. But at least the foundation of posts. I'm much more efficient when I behave this way. It'll help me, the blog, our businesses, and even Mike, too. Gotta keep his sanity intact for when mine runs for the hills!

I'll probably sound like a hypocrite because it's not like I plan to stop shopping at fast-fashion/mall stores or anything, but this is more of an "overall" statement. Better blog posts, not necessarily more. Better home splurges, not more. Spending a larger chunk of time at a dog park with the pups rather than a couple of 10 minute spurts (though they do tire quickly... haha). Purge a lot of our belongings to make way for a better quality of life in our new home. Maybe not being so afraid to go out and invest in a nice pair of jeans (!!!) that won't make me hate the entire pants experience. This blog is the biggest example of how I hope to make this resolution apparent. I have so many new and fresh ideas for where I see LCH. Even if it's not in line with the growth in the past, I actually feel excited about what lies ahead. This resolution alone has the power to make for an incredible experience if I'm just open to letting it happen.

Another resolution that is much like #2. My day to day is never ever the same. Sometimes I'll wake up at 7:30am and be in my office typing away at the keyboard on the blog, Him + Honey, or design work clear until 2am the next day.  Other days (like today) I half-heartedly roll out of bed at half past 9, then lay on the couch with a blanket until a quarter past 10. I'm lucky to be able to be flexible and take breaks when I want to, but I think our family could really use with some stability in a schedule. Especially with Toby getting ready to go to preschool and Mike and I both balancing a work at home schedule. I think if we had set hours we'd be able to enjoy doing more things as a family, and we'd be more successful in our projects, too. It's tough because I've yet to find a schedule that works for me (or both of us at the same time), so I may be coming to all of you for advice!

This one speaks for itself. On the road, as a parent, as a wife, as a business owner. I've lost my cool on many occasions when I really shouldn't have. All it would've taken is 10 seconds of breathing and I would've been fine. Patience has never been my strong suit and this is the year I plan on changing that. Everyone around me (Toby, Mike, my clients) deserves the utmost respect and if I could just remember to simmer down on occasion, we'd be golden. (Coincidentally this is the virtue we've been practicing with Toby for the past few weeks... Guess we'll learn together! At 4 and 24 years old haha)

I'm really bad about "being busy" and wanting to "go go go!", and even feeling guilty for taking a mid-day Netflix break or whatever. That's so ridiculous! It's nice to feel busy and important, but truth be told, I do most of that to myself. I make myself busy. I take on projects when I know I shouldn't. I say yes to things when I should be spending time with my family instead. I focus on making sure we're financially comfortable as opposed to being happy (for the lack of a better term). I really don't need to be that busy, and I could even balance my very same schedule with ease if I'd just employ resolution #4 (Find a work at home schedule that works). My inability to adhere to set hours makes our whole family tired and worn out. I don't need to do 17 projects or have 12 businesses. We can get by on just one or two with ease, but I have this craving to constantly work and succeed. It says a lot about our society, but even more about me because I know better and I can choose to go against the grain. Here's to scaling back and putting my whole heart into things that truly inspire me and make me feel like a successful person/wife/mom/business owner.

I've found myself quickly unfollowing a lot of people on Twitter, Instagram, and most frequently Tumblr. I don't plan on necessarily doing a total "clean sweep" of any of them (except Google Reader!)  but if someone is notorious about sharing things that don't necessarily inspire me or make me feel good, there's really no reason I should subject myself to that sort of thing ya know? And even people who are generally really nice and polite and positive, but don't share things that I'm interested in... it just makes for social media noise. (If you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings you can always "mute" them on Twitter, but I try to be honest with myself.) I can tell you that it does sometimes sting to have someone unfollow you for a reason you don't know (Rolling my eyes realllll hard at myself right now.. It's only the internet!) but we work to build these relationships with people and regardless of what we say, we want to inspire people and we want them to read what we put out there. Instead of focusing on a select group/clique that may have formed over the years, and trying to keep appearances up just for my own sake, I want to engage with people who inspire me. Inspire me in all facets of life. I think really rehashing my news feeds will help with that. (Facebook, I'm coming for you! You're the worst...) I truly urge each and every one of you to do this one, even if you don't plan on making resolutions. Clear out your feed! Unsubscribe from people who don't make you feel good about yourself. (Even if that means unfollowing me!) Think about what they put out in to the world (and even what YOU put out there! Hello #1!) Life is too short to only breed/feel negativity. Create an online place where you feel like the best you.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

Hello longest post ever! Those are my 7 resolutions for 2013. I feel excited, rejuvenated, and even inspired. I'm ready to say "So long!" to 2012 and "Hey!" to 2013.

Are you a resolution person? If so, what are some of yours?!

Efficiency (or the lack thereof)

Okay, so here's a shocker, I'm sure (sarcasm!): I'm terribly inefficient. At pretty much everything. Yeah, it's kind of sad. I'm really not the most organized person, and I promised myself that my only real resolution for the new year/2012 was to become more organized overall. I've managed to kind of corral my blog/design work into an appropriate system that works for me (shared here!), but what I still haven't managed to do is: + Organize my closet, + Organize my office and craft supplies, + Organize all past design sheets, + Organize all past blog sponsorship sheets, + Organize business and tax information. (Oh My LAW! Don't even ask about the tax drawer...) 

I've noticed that being this inefficient has really caused me to stress out. (Duh!) I spend more time looking for something than I spend using it. And my office when I/we get on a creative roll? Oh boy... it's baaaaaad. (The image above isn't a good depiction of it. That's super tame.) It's kind of embarrassing to admit that sometimes we'll go to Target to get something but I'll leave it in the bag and then the bag makes it's way into my office and then I lose it. No clue where the original item went. It's not like Hoarders or anything, but I'm just forgetful and well, lazy, is what it'd come down to. Lazy about putting things where they go. Lazy about figuring out the best place for things. It's seriously sad.

I've taken measures to help fix the closet situation by tossing out 80+ items. Some will make their way to a Kaelah's Closet sale, and the rest will get donated or thrown out. Now I need to do the shoe purging, and craft supplies, too. Working from home is so hard because the office makes it's way into the living room, kitchen, bedroom, etc. 

I need to put a stop to it. Finally.

Starting today I vow to:

• Take an extra minute or two when I'm finished with something to put it away.
• Always put it where it actually goes.
• Stop keeping things I know I won't use. Toss 'em!
• Immediately remove purchased items from the bag and store them appropriately.
• Stop buying more clothes hangers. I already have too many clothes. 
• Keep an inventory sheet of all craft supplies I have as to not buy more of what I already own.

So I'm seeking YOUR advice + expertise. How do YOU organize your life? What are some tricks you've learned to help separate your professional and private life (especially if you work at home)? Any special supply or desk organizing resources you might have? Seriously, I'm looking for any and everything. Maybe even just some reassurance that I'm not the only one out there?! Haha

Ultimately I'd like to look back on this and say "Ha! Remember that time I was so unorganized I literally couldn't keep track of my hair?" (Sidenote: That's a real thing and has really happened in our house. Multiple times. In fact, almost daily.) I'd like to scoff at my formerly-inefficient self while I file all of our appropriate tax documents in the right folder and contracts in the right drawer... yep. That's the girl I'm looking to become. And I mean, I've still got 3.5 months left of 2012 right?! Share your knowledge!

PS; Let me take this quick chance to say that if you don't use Gmail's Priority Inbox feature, you're really doing yourself a disservice. It's one of the only efficient things I've got going for me aside from my blogging notebooks! haha It's a heaven send!

24 before 25 (+ 23's recap!)

I've been trying really hard to come up with 24 goals for myself this year... but I keep feeling like I'm coming up short. I finally had a chance to sit down and think about things that would be challenging yet rewarding (and fun!), and this is what I came up with... (click to view image full size)

In case that's hard to read (Whoa!), they are...
1. Dye my hair a color other than red or brown.
2. Successfully bake a tiered cake.
3. Learn how to do makeup properly. (aka just don't suck at it)
4. Sew 4 dresses from scratch.
5. Write another e-book or e-course.
6. Learn to make jewelry.
7. Buy a house (or at least get serious about the location)
8. Create a time capsule for 2012.
9. Take more daily life photos for the blog.
10. Launch a pre-made layout shop.
11. Honeybean brick + mortar.
12. Create free downloads for LCH.
13. Write a letter each week.
14. Organize my office to include my studio.
15. Launch a print shop.
16. Do more reviews + vlogs on LCH about things I buy.
17. Downsize my closet + belongings. (contradictory to #16!)
18. Empty my inbox and get it organized!
19. Build a piece of furniture all by myself.
20. Organize an Instax display for our house.
21. Take regular work breaks + learn to unplug.
22. Learn basic calligraphy. (and maybe learn to spell it right! whoops!)
23. Put my toes in the sand at the beach.
24. Have a vegetable garden.

I'd say those are pretty good goals for my 24th year! What do you think?

Feel free to click "Read More" below to read the recap on my 23 before 24 list!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

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