Bigger & Better in 2016

I've been trying to put together a list of resolutions goals that don't sound redundant lame. It's really hard, guys. A lot of the things that I want to accomplish are intangible so it's hard to put them into words properly.

This year I just want to be a better me, for me.

Although it may sound selfish, I think that focusing on one's self is key and everything else will follow. I want to take the things that I learned in 2015 and translate them into positive life changes. I have always been a negative person - I mean, how do you think I got so hilariously sarcastic? - but I definitely feel that I need to make a conscious effort to focus on the positives.

In 2016, I am going to concentrate on relationships that are enriching and doing what makes my heart happy. I'm tired of feeling obligated to make an appearance at an event or get together just because I was invited. I'm over milking my drink and making dead-end small talk with people that I have nothing in common with. Quite frankly, it's not worth the calories or the time.

So in the time that I save not doing things just to avoid hurting other people's feelings - which (a) is totally against my life beliefs, and (b) should not even be thing - I can:

• catch up with a (real) friend
• meet new & interesting people
• tackle my short-term to do list (aka household chores) #snore #adulting
• work on my craft & sewing projects
• create blog content
• read a book towards my reading challenge
• colour (in a colouring book, of course)
• watch a movie
• make a dent in the ever-growing TV show list
• cuddle with my cat
• try a new recipe
• cross something off of my 30 before 30 list
• have a dance party for one
• play a video game (that I will probably never beat)
• Skype date with a friend that's abroad
• workout
• sleep.

Seriously, I am not someone who gets bored. And while not saying yes to things that I don't want to do is part of it, I do recognize that my ability to procrastinate endlessly is also a big part of the problem. I'm working on that, too. Remember - I'm becoming a better me!

Well, it looks like 2016 is going to keep me quite busy! Good luck, self... :)

2015, You were BIG!

From top left:
Engagement Photos (April); Wedding Day (May 30 '15); Hawaiian Honeymoon (June) x 2; Purple locks (October); Wedding Day (May 30 '15) x 2; Hawaiian Honeymoon (June); Red locks (September)

Guys, it's December 31, 2015 - holy shit. I don't want to get too wordy but this past year has certainly been BIG and my instagram #2015bestnine sums it up quite well!

The beginning on the year was marked by a whole lot of wedding planning. Because I essentially pulled together the entire wedding (with small exceptions) in like four months. That's what procrastination does, folks! It was the best, worst, most daunting, most crazy and most rewarding time of my life. Seriously.

In the end, also totally worth it because our wedding day was awesome & we had a blast! After that we headed to 10 days in Hawaii and had the best honeymoon/trip ever! I totally recommend going to Hawaii to anyone - it's truly glorious and the pictures do not do it justice. I would go again - or move there - in a heartbeat!

And after that...getting back into a groove. Time with friends, family and each other doing things around the city and at home. And a lot of work time for me...I'll save that for another time. But I'm extra happy that I was lucky enough to start a new job just before year's end & I'm really looking forward to that!

I learned a lot this year - about myself, about those around me, about life, work, friendships, happiness and love. I learned...

• about unconditional love
• how important my family is to me
• that hard work pays off
• that I'm my own worst enemy, always
• that I have to make my own happiness, no matter who else is in my life
• that I want to travel like crazy!
• how great it is to resurrect old friendships
• which relationships are worth nurturing
• which relationships to just stop trying with
• that I don't "owe" anyone anything, and vice versa
• to grab life by the horns
• to stop overthinking everything (this is on-going learning, it'll take a while)
• to let go of the past...

I'll be taking all of these learnings with me into 2016 as I make changes in my life and continue to improve myself. Can't wait!

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year & a glorious 2016!

Making 2013 Count

 
I don't normally make resolutions but the last couple of years I've posted about some improvements that I'd like to make, which to be honest haven't been all that successful.

That's because there's one big hindrance - procrastination. I know that everyone procrastinates, but I do it to such an extent that I just plain make myself unhappy.

It seems like I'm always saying, "I wish I had done that" or "I wish I had time to do this". I should have done that and I do have time to do this. If I could just find the key to unlocking the procrastination hand cuffs.

It's pretty ironic because the rush I get from ticking something off of my to-do list is like no other. It's baffling that I don't make every effort to do it as much as possible.

Well that's what 2013 is going to be about! I'm going to actually do all those things instead of just saying 'I wish'. And it's not really about the big things; it's mostly about the little things. Like reorganizing the linen closet so I can actually find things in there! All of the little things are what end up making a huge difference in the end.

Since I'm a pretty negative person in general (that's a big surprise, right?), I tend to need a little bit of help to stay positive & motivated so I'm going to write down something positive about each day before going to bed. 7 days in...so far, so good!

I guess that's kind of a resolution. The point is to get my life back on track & stop looking back with regret. That's what 2012 was & I refuse to let that happen again!

What are you doing different for 2013?

A look back at the year that was...2012

As you sit with your coffee - or alcoholic beverage, because it's 5 o'clock somewhere - trying to figure out how to ring in 2013, here is a little reading to keep you occupied.

Looking back at 2012 was bittersweet, but these posts tell a pretty complete story...

January

I guess some things never change because I still feel the same way I did in this post

February

Last year's Grammys sucked

I re-learned how to skate & Toronto has some great rinks!

March

Last Winter pretty much didn't happen...

...Which is ok because it allowed for wonderful Spring weekends

Someone I know celebrated a big milestone!

April

Got silly at the museum

May

I went public with my love of Intervention

I did my very first Pinterest craft

I discovered the sock bun...and was teased about it 

June

We went to our first wedding together..& did some other fun stuff

Had a fantastic anniversary trip to Montreal!

July

We were on TV

dC went away for 12 days & then came back - we survived!

August

I had blogger's block

We went to Chicago!

September

We went to our second wedding together

Saw the most amazing concert of the most amazing band - WOTE!

The Emmy tweet-cap happened

October

I discovered red lipstick

I baked some pies

Amazing fall weekending

Marked my two-year anniversary as a City girl

Happy Halloween-ed :)

November

There were some special birthdays here & here

I became obsessed with crafts

I celebrated 26 years of being alive with some love & friends

Most importantly...I got my little Coco puff

December

Kicked off the Holidays

The End of the World didn't happen...unfortunately

My Santas spoiled me!

Foto Friday

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012...

I guess 2012 is official now!

Happy Weekend!

I could, but I won't!

That's right - I could make [pointless] resolutions, but I won't. I'm never really going to follow them. Unless someone puts me on a leash and keeps me in line. Case in point - last year I wrote this post and actually forgot that it even existed.


But I actually worked on all of those things, and clearly not because they were on the [forgotten] list.


1. I definitely read more - I was inspired by my Book List & the Book Club Friday linkup.
2. I picked up more sports and loved it! Ok so the eliptical didn't come out of the closet but still...
3. I wasn't terribly unhealthy except gaining some weight at the end of the year. Portion & sweets control are a daily battle...
4. I may or may not have mostly failed at not sweating the small stuff. Short fuse + worrier = bad combo


See, I don't need to make new resolutions, I've still got some old ones to perfect! But seriously, these are really the most important things that I want to alter and then maintain in my life so they'll always be something I'm focused on.

In the meantime, I've got plenty of other things - plus 3 weeks of vaca! - to keep my 2012 busy!

- Continuing to experiment with new recipes

- Doing more to keep in touch with friends

- Starting to invest a little bit of money

- Being a better blogger (& maybe getting some more followers?)

- Maybe meeting a bloggy friend or two

- Do a couple of North American trips in the summer...including Vegas?!

What are you looking forward to in 2012?

A look at the year that was...2011

It's time for the annual "year in review" and I'm glad I've managed to find a bit of time in the Holiday craziness to do this review!

I love writing this because it gives me a chance to go "Oh yeah! I almost forgot that happened!" and reflect on what the hell I was thinking this past year. Also love reading everyone else's & reflecting on all of our accomplishments :)

This year I've decided to pick the highlights by month, since each month was special in its own way!

January

I did a rather popular Golden Globes Recap...be on the look out for one in 2012!

February

I got a New Toy! And the reason I've been able to blog in 2011 Hahaha

March

I want to see Lady Gaga & it was AH-MAY-ZING!

April

My 2-week vaca to the motherland prompted a blog photo challenge starting with all about me!

May

It was my blog's 1st birthday - so exciting and a little bit hard to believe!

June

I had my 1st date with dC & it was wonderful - much like the months since then have been <3

July

Summer was crazy busy but I got an invite to guest post at Leanna's blog!

August

I taught y'all the most important ingredients to making banana bread. You're welcome.

September

I discovered Pinteresting & Book Club Friday!

October

I had a little bit of a wardrobe malfunction - no big deal.

November

This girl had one very happy 25th birthday! <3

December

#TeamdCdK went to NYC this year & loved it!

I'm so pumped about 2012 & all the awesomeness it's going to bring! And if there will be an apocalypse, can I please get some notice first? I'd like to blow my savings :)

Hope everyone had an amazing year & all the best in 2012!

The Holiday Lull

So it's the week between Christmas & New Years, and what to do? Personally, I find this to be the most random part of the holidays.

Leading up to Christmas is the craziness of gift-buying, gift-wrapping, and cramming in meetings with everyone you won't see over those 2 key days. Then Christmas Eve & Day are mostly a blur of food, family, gifts & dessert. Yes, dessert gets its own call out.

New Years is similar. I find many people don't have plans made too far in advance and mad props to those who are able to set something up! So the last couple of days before are a hoopla of confirming plans (that realistically could have been made weeks ago) and figuring out the answer to the all-important question "Whattamigonnawear?!"

After you ring in the New Year, it's pretty much back to work (or school) and you start the year all over again...whomp whomp.

But what does one do in between the craziness? The reason I feel it's the most random part is because it's the least predictable, and there are many factors:

- Do I have to "work"?

- Are others "working"?

- Are we getting a blizzard this year?

- Does anyone feel like getting together for yet another dinner?

- Does anyone even have any money left to go out, etc? (probably not)

All of these are important questions that need answers before you can plan those critical in between days. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal but honestly, it is. We rarely get such a care-free time off, where even those who have to go into work are forgiven when they're not really working but napping away the lingering food commas at their cubicles.

I, for one, plan to make the most out of my "Holiday lull". This year I won't be going into the office - though I do have my work laptop to be available in emergencies - and have 4 entire days to work with. Here's the plan so far:

1. mini Christmas with dC <3

2. dinner at my "in-laws"

3. skating

4. hosting a dinner chez moi!

5. relaxing :)

6. partaking in that infamous hoopla that leads up to New Years - no plans yet for this girl!!

So tell me, how do you make the most out of the Holiday Lull?

2011, Here I Come!

New Year's resolutions...what can I say, I've never really made any. I think it's my dislike of the word "resolution", it's just too strong. 'To resolve oneself to something' gives the sense of epic proportions of commitment and obligations. And these happen to be two of the things I hate most.

However, I'm all for setting goals. I'm known to make lists for things I want to get done for the day, the week, etc, so it makes sense to think more long-term. Like a 365-day term.

But let's not call them resolutions - icky - I may be more inclined to use one of the following terms:

• accomplishments (kind of assumes you're already done)
• aspirations (feels inspirational but pretty corny)
• aim (somewhat violent & gun-oriented)
• targets (sounds like I'm trying to hit sales $, I get enough of that at work; also kind of violent)
• objectives (too professional)
• missions (I feel like Tom Cruise)

Ok so the English language may be lacking in that one term that has a je ne sais quoi so I'll stick to goals.

In 2011, there are several goals that I would like to successfully complete for the sole purpose of making myself happy & proud of *me*. I'm like a mom...to myself hahaha The ultimate success of these goals will likely result in warm & fuzzy feelings (you know i love those) and too many gifts to myself at Christmas time.

ANYWAY, here they are in no particular order:

1. READ MORE! I've actually seen this on several people's lists & it's a good one. Too many technological distractions have caused me to lose precious free time which I would have normally spent curled up with a book. Since I plan on becoming a hermit this winter season, I think there will be plenty of time for me to rekindle that love. Step 1 - go to library this week & get a card. Step 2 - Reading suggestions please! :)
2. I really need to exercise. Losing weight is one thing, I prefer not to focus on this, but I am just so out of shape & lacking in stamina. If I had to run for my life, I would really not bother with the running part. The funny thing is, this goal is really easy - all I need to do is pull the eliptical that I already own out of the closet where it's been sitting ever since I moved! Starting with 15 minutes each morning, I'll work my way up :)
3. Hand in hand with that, and also on a lot of people's lists, is to be healthier. Which also should theoretically not be too difficult. I just love the shit out of chocolate & sweets. Like, we-should-get-married love. I don't eat out too often and I always bring my own lunch to work because I'm budget conscientious, but my portions are way out of whack. Probably due to the fact that I eat with my eyes, not my stomach.



THIS IS SO DELICIOUS! I want three servings. And I will eat them all until I am full. Or die. Whichever comes first.

4. I rarely admit this, but I need to be more aware of my level of anger about random things & not sweat the small stuff. In all honesty, it's a little bit baffling that I haven't had an ulcer *knock on wood*. I really need to get some life stuff figured out & let go of some baggage in order to enjoy life more. And quit regretting things!

Here's to doing my best to accomplish these 4 simple goals in 2011! *cheers*

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