Goals for 2015

Hi everybody!  It hasn't been a week yet and I'm back!  Hopefully I'll be able to keep this up in 2015!  I mentioned last Friday that I've been thinking a lot about 2015.  2014 was a great year, but I did feel pretty overwhelmed for a good portion of it.  I'm hoping that with some changes and goal setting, 2015 will be one of our best years yet.  I could have gone on and on, but I narrowed my goals for 2015 down (yes, this actually is a narrowed down list) to the list below.  It's pretty long, but I think it's very doable.  Everything on it will genuinely make me happier and make my life easier.  

Personal Health & Mental Well Being:

1) Drink more water...I'm usually ok about this (could be better), but over the holidays I barely drank any.  I also drank way too much soda in it's place, so out with the soda too!

2) Cook more - eat out less...again, was really good about this, but the last quarter of the year I was too busy and as result never felt like cooking.

3) Eat regular meals...this has always been a challenge for me.

4) Try one new healthy recipe bi-weekly...I seem to just make the same stuff all the time.  It would be nice to add in a little more variety.

5) Read 4 books in 2015...I love reading, but I never do it.

6) Be grateful everyday for everything I've been blessed with and try not to complain too much.

7) Try to be more positive and less negative.

8) Play piano several times per week...I was playing almost everyday, but again, I got too busy.

9) Go to 3 concerts in 2015.

10) MORE PHOTOS...Compared to years prior, I barely took any pictures in 2014.  I want to not only take more pictures in 2015, but I want to take better pictures.  I also want to start making it a priority to print and do something with them.

11) Take one creative online class per month...I think this will be a really important one to keep me inspired.

12) Start scheduling my time better.

Career:

13) Stop overextending myself...I took on WAY too much at the end of 2014 and it made it impossible for me to keep up (the way I would like to) with my personal life.  In 2015, I need to find a better balance, which may mean letting something go.

14) Take one online class per month that is related to my profession.

15) Organize my work life and keep it organized...no surprise here that I work better if I'm nice and organized.

16) Start using my office again...I've gotten sloppy and work from my couch far too often.  It's not good for my focus or my body.

Home Life:

17) Create a chore chart...I've never done this before and I think it would be really helpful for us.

18) Organize EVERYTHING...We've lived in our house for a while now and all the organizing I did at the beginning is coming undone.  Time to get back on track.

19) Get rid of things we don't use/need...too much clutter!

Finally on to the most important ones...

Relationships:

20) Set aside one day a month to do something fun with my husband, just the two of us.

21) Try to get together with friends for a night out once a month.

22) Spend more time with my sister (and just family in general).

23) Plan more get togethers with my friends throughout the year.

24) Go someplace new with my husband (doesn't have to be fancy or expensive) 2 times in 2015.

And 25) Evaluate this list monthly to see how I'm doing.

Well there is my list.  Are you busy thinking up goals for 2015?

{My Life} A Look Back At 2013

I don't know about you all, but I love the start of a new year.  I don't necessarily think there is anything special or different about January 1st, but it serves as a nice little imaginary reset button.  A day (or a week or so in my case) to reflect on the year that just passed and contemplate what's in store for the one to come.  

2013 wasn't a year for the record books by any means, but as I look back on everything that happened in 2013, I'm happy to say it was a pretty good year.  Here's a quick little look back at my year, with pictures of course!  

We kicked off 2013 with a big bash at our house.

We had an awesome weekend watching college hockey (UND to be more specific) in Omaha with friends in February.

Then spent a week in LA.

In the beginning of March, I was hired by Holly Becker to be her Assistant and Project Coordinator.  One of the highlights of my year for sure!  

Also in March, my sister and I took a little day trip to Stillwater to do some shopping (one of the many fun sister days throughout the year).  

April 1st, 2013...I turned 30!  

Mid April it start to get really nice out, so Jason and I tackled a little daybed DIY project for the deck. And then, it snowed again!

In May, I decided this was going to be the year I became a better gardner.  I would start with containers on the deck. 

In June, I went to keep Jason company in Vegas where I drove a go-cart for the week, met some new friends, and had lots of wine flights.  When I came home, all my plants had died which leads me to...

Container garden 2.0.  I was not born with that green thumb people speak of.  

In July, I was asked to lead a workshop at my local West Elm.  I didn't have a great turn out (which I chalk up to it being the middle of summer and not giving people much notice), but it was a great experience that I learned a lot from!  

Jason and I also celebrated our 5th Anniversary.  After all kinds of fun meals and nights out in Vegas, we opted for a quiet night in.    

In August, Doggert and I had a little staycation and checked out city life.  It was fun, but it was nice to get back home.

We also headed to the North Shore for a weekend to celebrate our friends marriage.  Such a beautiful place!

And shortly after we got back, I began to conquer my dental fears and had some pretty major work done that had been looming over me for quite some time.  After more dentist appointments then I can count, I will finally be done with the whole ordeal at the end of this week. 

  

In September, I went to Vancouver to help with some photo shoots for my lovely boss's new book.  It was such an amazing experience!  One that I hope I get to re-live often! 

We also made a little trip to Grand Forks to see one of our best friends get married and to meet our new niece.  

All the sudden it was fall...my favorite time of year!

In October, I went to NYC to cover an event for decor8 and as result got to do a post which you can read here!  

I also got to meet these two sweet boys (John Colaneri and Anthony Carrino from HGTV's Kitchen Cousins) while I was there.

I came home all inspired to DIY and that led to me sprucing up some of our lighting. 

And that continued into holiday DIYing.  

In the blink of an eye, it was time for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Both were lovely!

I of course left out all kinds of everyday moments that stick out...trips to the lake, sister dates, time spent with family and friends, lovely house guests, you name it, but I think this post would be a bit too long (I mean it already is), if I included everything.  

Happy 2014 everybody!  I wish you all the best!  

{My Life} Lowes Deck The Halls Event

Photo taken by Patrick Schneider for Lowes.

Happy Thursday!  I hope you all are having a lovely week so far!  As many of you know, I've been working for Holly Becker since April.  I've really been loving it so far!  It's really interesting to get a behind the scenes look at how things work at decor8, but also, Holly is uber sweet and a great person to work for.  Holly is currently pregnant with her first child and was unable to travel, so when Lowes invited her to attend their Deck The Halls event in New York, she sent me in her place.  I had a really great time and my mind has been in Christmas mode ever since.  To hear more about the event see my full post on decor8.  

{My Life} Feeling Ready...

Photo Credits (clockwise from top left): 1, 2, 3, 4

It's funny how life sneaks up on you, and suddenly, something that seemed so far down the road is right around the corner.  My husband Jason and I have been together for 11 years now and it seems like for as long as I could remember we said we would start trying for kids when I turned 30.

Get Creative with Color

Happy Monday everybody!  I'm going to be leading a Washi Tape Workshop this Saturday at the West Elm in Edina as part of their Get Creative with Color event.  If you're interested in seeing how you can use this fun medium to spruce up everyday items, you can RSVP here.  I would love the chance to get to meet some of you in person!

I hope to see some of you there!

{iPhoneography 365} February

I've been chugging along with my iPhoneography, and I can't believe how fast February flew by!  So without further adieu, here was my February.  

February 1st: I put up my cute homemade Valentine's banner.

February 2nd: Doggert had his cousin Oliver over for a play date.  

February 3rd: It snowed a bunch the night before, but the hubs and I ventured out for breakfast anyway.  

February 4th: I was out running errands and snapped this pic of the clouds.

February 5th: I picked up this amazing sweater with a Liberty print collar from J Crew.  Amazing!

February 6th: My polka dot J Crew button up from last year spruced up my boring parka very nicely.  

February 7th: My hubs and I stopped at a cute little small town bar on our way to meet up with our friends for a weekend of college hockey in Omaha, NE.  

February 8th: First night of hockey success!  

February 9th: Second night of hockey success, this time outside with less than ideal ice conditions.  We needed lots of layers to stay warm.

February 10th: Our third less than ideal drive home this winter, but we made it home safely.

February 11th: My blog's 2nd birthday!  :)  We celebrated with a yummy little cake and balloons.

February 12th: A delicious caprese salad I made for dinner.  So good!  

February 13th: I was doing some work on our townhouse that we rent, and this was some of my handy work (new curtains and rod).  It was a big improvement from what was there before.  

February 14th: I woke up with a sore throat, and was miserable for most of the day.  I did take a break from my chair to go to a delicious Valentine's dinner with my hubby.

February 15th: I woke up feeling sicker and I didn't realize I hadn't snapped a photo yet that day until we went to bed, so I snapped a photo of our nightly routine...a few episodes of one of our favorite shows before we go to sleep.    

February 16th: Still sick, Doggert helped by cuddling with me every chance he got.  

February 17th: I literally didn't leave bed all day, and was so sick I forgot to snap a photo.  

February 18th: My sickness continues (I'm actually still sick as I type this...it's getting really old).  Fluids, hand sanitizer  and my thermometer are becoming some of my new best friends.  

February 19th: This is a common occurrence between Doggert and my computer.  It's his "Mom, pay attention to me instead" face.  

February 20th: I had a craft day with my sister.  We made little ring dishes out of clay.  For this one I attached a little monkey figure to it and painted them both gold.  

February 21st: I turned my studio into a packing zone for our trip to Los Angeles.

February 22nd: Time to leave for sunny California and we picked the perfect time to do it! 

February 23rd: The first day of our trip, my aunt and uncle met up with me.  

February 24th: This one was taken from Universal City right before we went to a movie.

February 25th: I decided to go to LACMA while my hubby was busy working, but didn't realize everything closed at 5pm.  I was super bummed, but made the best of it and checked out the outside instead.  

February 26th: For our last full day in LA we decided to go to a taping of Conan.  It was super fun!

February 27th: Last look of the ocean and the beach.  Time to head home.

February 28th: He makes being back in the cold worth it.  Such a cutie!  

I have lots more fun stuff in store for March, most importantly my 30th birthday party at the end of the month and Easter with my family!

{Freebie} March Desktop Background

Hey everybody!  It seemed like my February Desktop was kind of a hit, so I made one for March too.  I've really been loving all things chalkboard, so I really wanted to do something with that.

 Just like last month I'm giving you the option to have it with or with out the folder boxes.   I personally like them, but then again, I like to organize everything!

I'm hoping to be back to blogging more regularly in March.  Between being sick for most of February and being out of town, it was hard to fit it in last month.  I'm also excited to be taking another Blogging Your Way course called Blog Boss!  I can' t wait for more awesome inspiration from the lovely Holly Becker.