2019 Intentions

It's 2019! Holy hell. If I'm being honest, it's taken me a beat to really get into the swing of things after the holidays – and I'm not sure I'm there yet. I always love January – it's my birth month, for one thing, and it always feels fresh after the emotional weight the holidays tend to bring – but it's not exactly great for business. By that I mean, when January rolls around I always just want to turn inward and self-reflect, not necessarily spend a lot of time online or on social media. It's actually a trend I've noticed quite a bit in the new year, and frankly, it's refreshing. I saw a lot of bloggers and IG'rs taking actual, real time off this year, and being more intentional with their content, and I'm so happy to see it. It's an example we all need to set and a theme I plan to carry into 2019.

2019. Wild. Is it wild to you?

Looking back, I realize only now that 2018 was a pretty incredible year. In a lot of completely unexpected ways. At some point, I wrote in a journal or planner or something, "the year of growth" and it couldn't be truer. I let go of a lot of fear last year, which I know can partially be attributed to being in a more stable place, both physically and emotionally. 2018 easily could have been "the year of turmoil" (2017 was definitely the year of turmoil) – We moved to our place in Portland; I parted ways with a job that just wasn't the right fit that had caused plenty of anguish; went freelance for a few months; hiked more than I have in a long time; finally learned to surf; and carved out a full-time job that actually fits with what I'm passionate about. I also paid off a major debt that had been looming over us for a long, long time. This was somewhat unexpected, but possibly the best possible way I could have closed out the year. When I think back on most of these changes and experiences, I realize a lot of them could have thrown me more than they did. The way certain things the previous year had. But I handled it. And I'm so proud of myself for making it through and making it through positively – but that growth and pride and generally having had a good year, for once, has also put a lot of expectation on the year ahead.

So I've been taking the start of 2019 slowly. Intentionally. Trying not to set unachievable goals knowing the that the major things that happened in 2018 were mostly due to my own self-possession and less due to the goal setting I did at the start of last year (I'm not even sure I set intentions or resolutions last year?). But, there are a few themes I've decided to focus on:

Be more mindful with money
Notice I didn't say "stop spending" or "save X amount of dollars". I don't think hard goals like that would be helpful for me, but after paying off that debt I want to do all the things I told myself I'd do once it was gone: Save more, spend less on things like clothes and home stuff and all those other little things that are constantly tempting and pile up over time, and invest more in experiences and education. Now that a huge chunk of my money isn't going towards that huge monthly bill, I aim to redirect those funds to something more meaningful. Save it. Do things. Chris and I are thinking about taking a trip overseas this summer, and just being able to actually consider that as an option feels so freeing, and it feels good knowing that there's one less roadblock to us eventually buying a house.

That said, it's really hard to stop wanting things. But this year I'm aiming to really delve deep into the why behind the want. Because I know it goes deeper than simply liking something and wanting to own it. I really want to work on myself in this way this year.

(Re)define my style
On a very-much-related note: Like the rest of the Western world, I watched one episode of Netflix's Tidying Up last weekend and immediately Marie Kondo'd my closet for what feels like the millionth time. It feels good to lighten the load, but it also puts into perspective just how much I have. As a lover of vintage, getting rid of stuff can be particularly hard. My attachment to things tends to be largely sentimental, and sentimentality can be difficult to contend with, making it hard to move forward. Along with that, I've had to be really honest with myself lately on what's actually functional for my life now. Example: I haven't worn heels, except for going to weddings, since we moved here. Hills + weather + cobblestone streets aren't exactly heel-friendly, not to mention why would anyone want to wear heels? My boot wardrobe, on the other hand, has grown considerably.

I'm not about to start wearing Carhartts and hiking boots everywhere, but my job requires easy movement and when I'm not working from home or moving things at work, I'm doing something active. Which is awesome, but I'd be lying if I told you I didn't occasionally miss having more opportunities to dress up more. Or even get dressed. I've realized though that this is less about missing dressing up and more about not knowing what to wear for my life now. I tried on a couple of things that had been hanging in my closet, unworn, for a couple of years, and realized they're not for me anymore, but I'm not sure what is. So without going full-on shopping spree (see above), it's time to move stuff out to make room for what works - and I need to figure that out.

Right now I'm loving cool but ultra-functional boots like these, lightweight but super soft cashmere, and easy to move in vintage-inspired denim.

Increase my skillset
This may sound like small potatoes, but this week I cooked fish for the first time. I also learned how to poach an egg. Tiny victories, yes, but meaningful ones (I'm not an adventurous cook – I leave that to Chris) and it felt good to learn something new, however small. That's a theme I'd like to continue for the new year – learning and increasing my skillset, whether it's a kitchen technique, recipe, learning to rock climb, or finally going through the steps I need to take to refresh this blog. I think as an adult it's easy to get used to going through the motions, we forget how exciting and satisfying it is to learn and finally (maybe) master something. To stop wondering how to do something and begin the steps towards knowing. I'm still working to pinpoint the specific things I'd like to teach myself, beyond simply having the goal to learn, but I'll keep you updated!

Over the past several months I feel as though I've had to relearn how to take care of myself. I started 2018 living in the woods, feeling fragile and super stressed out and I ended it living in a city I love, having finally built up my strength again – both physically and mentally. I found my way back to yoga – something that, at certain points last year, felt impossible – and that's the general theme I want to cultivate: Strength – in finances, in self-efficacy, in skills and ability. It's hard to resist the urge to make grand, over the top resolutions, but I know from years past it's the little things that make the biggest difference – those small intentions that are easily kept in the back of your mind.

What about you? What are you hoping to accomplish this year?

WORN: Vintage Levi's 501s + ThredUp

Two phrases I never thought would ever escape my lips: I love mom jeans and ...oh, these jeans? I picked them up in Paris. But here we are. In the words of the Beibs, never say never, baby. (Also, the irony isn't lost on me that I had to go overseas to finally find the perfect pair of American-made vintage jeans.) Fashion and your own tastes can surprise you, and while these jeans would have been (and very much were) the bane of my existence as a pre-teen, I love them now.

Like any good closet staples, these vintage Levi's 501s and sweet ballet flats from Repetto have been on heavy rotation lately. The shoes were a score from ThredUp. Arrived brand new in their box, which still had the original price tag on it... but I'll get to that in a second. If you're unfamiliar with ThredUp, it's an online destination for gently used women's clothing. ThredUp is chock full of great pieces at prices similar to that of a higher end thrift store or consignment shop. You can buy and sell, which makes it a nice option for offloading pieces from your closet you no longer need or want, and there are often discount codes available and free shipping at certain thresholds... phew! Which means these gorgeous little leather flats ended up being just over $50. A very far cry from their original price from Bergdorf's, which was marked with the original sticker on the box at $350. Seriously... This is why I love thrift shopping, guys.

I learned early on in life that taking the time to scour the racks at thrift and secondhand stores will often reward you with pieces that you might not typically be able to afford, along with giving you complete creative control of your wardrobe. I have a collection of classic Coach and Dooney & Bourke bags as proof (all priced under $20, thank you very much). And one-of-a-kind vintage. And multiple items crafted from high end fabrics that would normally be laughably out of my price range. Plus, the satisfaction that comes with saying "oh, this old thing? I thrifted it for $6 bucks" really can't be beat. The time taken to comb through racks and drive to far-off Salvation Armies is far more rewarding to me than just popping into the mall to get exactly the thing I'm looking for. I like a challenge. I like to let the universe help me out a bit. And this year, I'm taking control of my closet and rediscovering my love for thrifting and secondhand in all its iterations, both online and IRL. It took awhile to comb through ThredUp to find a piece that fit my criteria (a piece my closet is currently lacking, well made, good condition, could work with multiple outfits and more than one season), but I approached it as I would any other secondhand shopping trip. You're not always going to find something, but eventually you will. And it'll be great. And sure enough, on my third site visit, there they were. The pair of walkable, go-with-just-about-everything shoes I've been looking for. And for a fraction of the cost of buying new. Resolution realized. Control taken. Secondhand forever.

Get the look: Schott NYC 'Ex-Boyfriend' Jacket // H&M Sweater // Vintage Levi's 501 jeans // Repetto "Camille" ballet flats via ThredUp // Zodiac 'Aquarius' ring via Moorea Seal

Note: A portion of the cost of shoes + shipping was provided by ThredUp. All opinions are my own.

Goals & Dreams for 2016

I'm behind the times here, but really, I needed a couple weeks off to rest, reset, and just be. The end of the year is always the most frenetic and imbalanced for me, with the holiday season really stretching from the end of October through to New Years and then BOOM it's a new year and work doesn't stop. When content is everything, it's rare to get a rest, especially in December. This past weekend I was more than happy to just rest for a change. I'm terrible at resting and it took one hell of a hangover on New Year's Day to force me to nap and reconsider my priorities for the first weekend of the year. There are always so many ideas, to-dos, and lists floating around my head, it's difficult to not spend every waking minute trying to get it all done, but in 2016 I'm vowing to take things slower (and no more hangovers, too. Done with all that). This is a theme I've noticed across a number of blogs and websites this year and I'm wondering if we're all just exhausted from The Hustle. You know, the hustle you've seen splashed across Pinterest and Instagram for the past few years? I'm all for striving for being the best you, but sometimes YOU need a break. Ya feel?

I received The 52 Lists Project a few months ago, but being the retentive person that I am, was saving it to start on precisely the first of the year. None of those muddied 2015 thoughts/goals to muck it up and get in the way (November/December Julie is way too stressed to be making goals anyway). I began filling out the first list -- aptly titled 'List Your Goals and Dreams for the Year' -- on New Year's Day, and have been taking my time this week to think of both the small and large goals I'd like to set for myself in the months to come. I think this will be a big year for me and my little family. Chris and I have been talking a lot about the future and where we want to be, and most importantly, how we'll get there. The larger goals here reflect that, but the smaller ones are important too. When I look over the list I've created so far, I can see that I desire order, investment in self and just more for us, and not in the material sense;

Travel more & plan for it
Really pretty self-explanatory. I want to get out more. We tend to stick pretty close to home and where we live now because of time and financial constraints, but I know that if we can just get out of thinking so much in the here and now and thinking a bit more in the future, we can make this happen.

Start backpacking (again)
I used to go on backpacking trips when I was much younger but over the years, as I've moved from the mountains and trails I grew up with to ones I'm less familiar with, I've fallen out of practice. This year I really want to get out camping more and make good on my idea to turn our car into a mobile tent! It's difficult to get out hiking as much as I'd like to, with Chris often working on the weekends, so now we're just determined to make the weekends that we do have together count.

Learn how to budget! (!!!!!!!)
Ohhh, the big one. The big, big one. Confession; I'm not good with numbers in any way, shape or form. They might as well be a foreign language to me and the thought of a budget, of a place where numbers are organized and congregated in large numbers makes me sweat. BUT it has to be done, especially if we want to do anything besides chill at home this year (see goal number 1... and 2). This is what I've really chosen to tackle first this year. A few people have recommended You Need a Budget and after reading reviews and browsing the site, I think that's what we'll at least start with. I like that it's geared towards paying down debt and creating a buffer from month to month. Have you tried any budgeting software? Had success? Let me know, I'm still shopping around :)

Start freelancing
Honestly, I feel silly for not making good on this goal last year, but sometimes the thought of writing more and photographing more, on top of the 70+ hours a week I already spend writing and taking pictures is... daunting. BUT this is a big gial of mine, to get my professional work out there and partner with new outlets. It's on the list, so I have to find the time and I have to make it happen.

Less stuff, better stuff
Admittedly, something I've already been working on, but a goal I'd like to continue. Paired with this is recommitting to purchasing mostly secondhand. Since moving to Philly I've mostly stopped thrift shopping, while I've received some great recommendations, I just haven't found any go-to stores that feel worthwhile on the weekends, with time at a premium (see the last goal). But my aim is to shop less altogether and maybe hit the thrifts/vintage when I'm out of town and stumble across something good. I hit secondhand gold while home for Christmas, rekindling my love for thrift/vintage.

More tattoos... more hair appointments... more self-care
Over the past year or so, i've noticed my mindset slipping back, almost to what it was in high school regarding investing in my outward appearance. Nothing quite as extreme as my 16 year old self, but with bills to worry about and work to be done, why get a haircut or highlights or the tiny tatoo I've been wanting? This year I'm going to try to focus on investing in myself again -- in getting a haircut I love now that it's a bit longer, in getting the few small tattoos I've had on my mind for years, in the vitamins and wellness practices that make me feel amazing, in something so simple as painting my nails each week. Last year I started buying flowers every Friday, to enjoy over the weekend, I lapsed some time in the summer, but I want to start again.

Learn something new each week
Whether it's a Skillshare tutorial, a YouTube video, or a recipe on Pinterest, I want this year to be about expanding my Self and bettering the person I am. I read, sure, and I pick up things here and there from work, but I miss learning intentionally. After visiting Paris over the summer, I'd love to refresh my second language skills (or lack of), and I'm hoping to break out of my memoir habit and pick up a few new books outside of the ones I review for work.

The remainder of my goals are just as important -- including doing my laundry regularly! -- but I feel they're a bit simpler. Essentially, this year I hope to do more, learn more, and be more and have presence throughout. Happy 2016, friends. I think it's going to be a good one.

Here & There & Weekly Goals 4.26

Happy Sunday! How are you spending your day? I have too much to get done and not enough time to do it in. I'll be spending my afternoon making almond milk, cookies, candles, packing up my mom's birthday gift, and attempting to get my house cleaned up. I've been thinking a lot about goals lately -- simple goals -- and think I'll start using this post as a place to set some weekly intentions. Nothing crazy, just little things I'd like to improve upon from week to week. Here's what's on my mind for this week:

Plan out gym/workout time. I usually just always have my gym bag with me, and hit the gym after work or during lunch when the opportunity arises. I'd like to start being more intentional about it and maybe even start training for something.

Be more present. This means less phone time. I was doing really well for awhile, but sort of fell off the wagon in terms of phone time before bed. No more mindless internet scrolling - I'm thinking of deleting Facebook off my phone, too.

Donate and sell more clothing. I've been paring down a lot in the past year, and have been going through my stuff in cycles, bringing it to Goodwill and Buffalo Exchange. This is also why I've been quiet on the Thrifting front, I just haven't been buying secondhand because I wasn't being intentional about it (and also just haven't found too much in terms of thrifting in Philly). It's time for another clean-out round, especially as my new goal is to get tattooed in the coming months. Time to save up for something lasting and meaningful.

What are you working on this week?

+ How to help the earthquake victims in Nepal

Obsessed with this fringed western jacket from JessAmity! I've been all about classic Americana touches lately, it feels like the perfect marriage of my past and present obsessions.

Speaking of which, these vintage sterling feather earrings would be the perfect accompaniment.

Love this campaign from American Apparel - and this crop top

Inspiration for your weekend

Love this vintage-inspired squash blossom necklace - plus, it's actually affordable

A new-to-me blog I'm loving + how to create a media kit

Well this mechanic's jumpsuit is damn adorable, never enough jumpsuits in my opinion. This one is cute too (and on sale)

The art of being apart

Save an extra 10% off Asos sale! Love this pretty off-the-shoulder dress and this festival-ready mini dress

Do you like Amy Schumer? I absolutely do and thought this Friday Night Lights spoof killed it. Also, THIS.

Can't wait to get my hands on this cookbook!

This made me laugh. "Steve Zahn"

A beautiful dress to wear to a summer wedding

Might have to make these today

Have you heard of The Clymb? It's a flash sale site for camping, fitness, and outdoor apparel and it's awesome! Use this code to sign up and you get a $10 credit!

Obsessed with this perfect hat!

Pretty hair

This might just be the perfect summer dress.

I'm dying to get my knees/legs tattooed - how gorgeous is this?

Save 30% off NEW styles at JCrew! i'm dreaming of a new swimsuit (love this one)

A Few Small Goals For December

Happy December! I'm so excited to be welcoming a new month. I love this time of year -- people are generally in good spirits, everything looks festive, and the cold weather still feels exciting. Chris and I had a wonderful, low-key Thanksgiving: we jumped the gun and bought our Christmas tree (early, but I want to enjoy it), had dinner with a friend, and then went out for beers and a movie (Catching Fire -- it was good!).

Even though I didn't technically accomplish all of my goals for November, I'm really happy with the way things went down: I went to yoga every weekend, but after a couple of classes I realized that I like the Sunday instructor and class time much better, so I've been enjoying starting my week off with Sunday evening yoga. While I'm not sure if I technically broke out of the style rut I felt I was in, I did have a couple of really good thrift dates with Chris, which helped solidify the direction I'd like to steer my closet and style in. I did not run the Turkey Trot. And I do not feel bad about it. Anyway, it was 20 degrees the morning of the race, ha! We took a leisurely Thanksgiving walk instead. And I got to work early -- at times abysmally early -- nearly every day this month. As much as I hate going in early, I love getting a jump start on my day.

It didn't take me long to figure out my goals for December, they're things that have been on my mind lately as it is:

// Volunteer at least once

My real goal here is to find two volunteer opportunities before Christmas. I really want to make volunteering a year-long thing, and I think finding something this time of year is a good place to start.

// Eat as clean as possible ... while still enjoying the holidays

I haven't been feeling too well lately, and I know this is in direct correlation to the amount of cheese I've been consuming. And wine. And treats. And cheese. It's time to get back on the horse, sort of. I'm still going to enjoy the social opportunities that spring up this time of year, but maybe just cut down on the stress eating at work.

// Make Christmas gifts & send out cards

i.e. dont procrastinate. I started making gifts and ornaments this weekend, and it felt so good to make something with my hands. I didn't realize how long it had been since I did a project expressly on my own accord, rather than for work. I absolutely have to make this a habit again.

// Try a new exercise routine

Lately my exercise routine has felt stale, save for the addition of yoga, it's been sort of the same for a long time. My goal this month? To try a spin class. I used to bike a lot so I'm thinking I'll like it? I hope I'll like it, because running kills me and the ARC machine is getting boring, and I need some sort of cardio to balance out the weights.

// Clean out my inbox
My email is a nightmare, a nightmare filled with sale messaging and newsletters that I don't delete. I've got to tackle this beast.

How about you? Any big plans this month?

A Few Small Goals for October

Happy October! It still hasn't quite sunk in yet that it's a new month, but I'm excited just the same. My mom is currently visiting us from Maine, I leave in a couple of days for St. Louis, and the weather is gorgeous. No complaints. Here's what I'm hoping to accomplish for October:

// Go apple picking
We somehow didn't do this last year, and I miss this autumn tradition! Not just the orchard visit itself, but the days spent figuring out what to do with all those apples afterwards. Apple pie? Apple sauce? Apple cake?

// Plan a challenging hike
We recently went on an easier day-hike and it has me craving something more challenging. We went on a great hike up Mt. Davis last year, so I'd love to explore another Western Pennsylvania mountain when the foliage is at it's peak.

// Get a haircut
It's time, I'm craving a shorter cut for fall weather. Nothing too drastic, but I could use a little change, and shorter locks mean fewer knots caused by wool sweaters, which is always good in my book.

// Turn off
This is a big one for me, and I most likely won't be able to start working towards it until next week, but I've decided to attempt a "no computer past 6:45pm rule" for October. This will require a complete restructuring of my schedule, and it's a little daunting. Right now my blog posts typically get written in the evening, and it's a mad dash after work of getting home, working out, eating dinner, blogging in front of the TV, and then crashing into bed. With little time to relax, connect with Chris, or work on an in-person project. This needs to change, and I'm looking forward to having a real challenge to work towards this month.

// Turn off the 'back-burner'
I'm really sick of having so much on hold, so much set aside. I have a lot of projects and general 'life responsibilities' that I need to just do and get out of the way. I'm hoping the computer shut down will help make this happen.

What are your goals for this month?

A Few Small Goals for September

August, as expected, flew right by. The past few days have felt decidedly autumnal, still warm, but with that telling bite to the air. Mornings in our apartment are wonderfully chilly, and a cool breeze comes through in the evenings. I'm not quite ready to let go of summer, but I do love this time of year. It feels fresh, full of possibility, perhaps it's the residual effects of the academic calendar. Here's what's on my docket this month:

Stick to a blogging schedule
I've been pretty terrible about keeping myself accountable lately, due in part to some internet issues at our place, but if we're being truly honest, I just want to be outside. I know that sticking to a schedule will make life a whole lot easier, I just need to implement it. This month I am determined to write the posts that have been on the back burner for ages.

Get out of the house
Don't get me wrong, we definitely do get out and about, but I always feel this time of year is especially perfect for exploring new places, short weekend roadtrips, and hiking. I'm headed off to Cleveland this weekend to visit Erin, and I can't wait.

Plan a weekend for my mom!
Exciting stuff: my mom is visiting Pittsburgh for the first time at the end of the month! I'm really looking forward to planning a fun weekend/week with her to show her around the city. There are certain Pittsburgh-y things we've held off on doing, knowing they'd be perfect for when family came to town, like visiting Fallingwater.

Finish unpacking
Now that it's cooler outside, we can finally unpack the rest of our stuff. I started this past weekend with our office and ended up with three gigantic bags of donations, let's keep this going! It's helpful to have the deadline of my mom's visit at the end of the month, so no slacking! 

Do you set monthly goals? Feel free to share in the comments!

A Few Small Goals for August

Wow. August. I know, but man this summer flew by, right? I believe August has become my favorite month, at least so far in 2013. To be honest, until a second ago I had no idea what today's date is, which is a good sign that I had a great weekend in Austin. Now, on to San Francisco! Besides a ton of travel, here's what I'm focusing on this month:

A return to self-care and healthfulness
I always, always enter into summer in the mindset of "Hey! It's summer! Of course I'm going to eat salad all the time and just seamlessly incorporate exercise into my schedule! No problem!" When in fact- and I blame this partially on moving and suddenly having a social life again- I'm eating french fries all the time and maybe treading water in the pool for like, five minutes before beaching myself on a towel to people-watch behind my sunglasses. This has to end, because admittedly I feel physically awful, not the kind of awful where I feel bad about my body, because I like how I look, but I just feel physically awful. I can feel my arthritis flaring up again and my skin is starting to freak a little. Time to be an adult again and maybe cut back on the sugar (and french fries, and 2am waffles, and...)

Celebrate our anniversary. Like, actually celebrate it.
You know what's sad? If someone asked, I wouldn't be able to tell them how Chris and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary. And not because it was super spicy. But because I'm fairly certain we didn't celebrate outside of going out to dinner. Which is really, really pathetic. So we gotta celebrate right this year! I want to go to the beach and lay on the sand and forget about technology for a whole weekend.

Stay inspired
One of the reasons I love attending conferences like the Texas Style Council Conference (which I went to this past weekend), is that I always, always leave feeling super inspired and motivated. These conferences always seem to pop up in a time when I'm feeling a little tired or discouraged or spread too thin, but after spending a weekend with some of the raddest ladies and listening to their stories consistently reinvigorates me. I want to keep that momentum going!

What are you focusing on this month?

A Few Small Goals for February

Oh February, how did you sneak up so fast? I'll admit, I'm OK with bidding January goodbye. It was a tough month with ridiculous weather and not enough room to breathe. I'm happy to report that I did manage to accomplish most of my January goals: I'm feeling like I'm standing on solid ground with my blog content, Chris and I joined a new gym and we're loving it, I got my hair cut- more on that one later- but not colored, and I unplugged just a little bit more- though not as much as I would have liked. The only one that definitely didn't get accomplished was going for a walk everyday, and I don't even have an excuse, I just didn't do it. So, it's a new month with new goals, here they are:

Plan a day trip or two
It looks like Chris will finally have some weekend days off this month, and I would love to go someplace new with him. Mostly, I just really want to go snowboarding. We didn't go at all last year, and it's something that I miss. With Seven Springs and Snowshoe so close by, this goal shouldn't be difficult to accomplish.

Do our taxes
This goal is so not exciting, but last year I waited until the last minute and just prolonged the stress. We have to do them and this is the month to do it.

Create an inspiring space
Our office is the messiest room in our apartment, and the last place anyone wants to spend any time. I want to clean it out and start over, putting some of my ideas to work. We're lucky to have the extra space, so it should be well utilized.

Spend more time with friends
I have a tendency to be a bit of a hermit, especially in the winter. If I have a free day, I'm perfectly happy to spend it doing things on my own. This is a habit I would like to break and actually work on building the friendships I've made here.

Enjoy Valentines Day
I don't dislike Valentines Day because of Hallmark, or the blatant display of affections, it's just too much pressure. Valentines Day just stresses me out. But it's also an excuse to make cards and send notes to people, and that's what I would like to do. And maybe go on a nice date, because why not?

Make a list of the books I'd like to read, and then read them
I'm a window shopper when it comes to books, picking up what looks interesting when I'm at the library instead of sticking to the ever-growing list in my head. I gotta write this stuff down, because I have a feeling that I'd be much more interested in the book on my nightstand if it were something I actually planned and had a desire to read. 

So, there they are. A few small goals. Do you have anything you're hoping to accomplish this month? Feel free to share your goals in the comments!

A Few Small Goals For January

Confession: I'm obsessing over my resolutions this year. After a whirlwind 2011 and 2012, I want to slow down and really think about what I want my 2013 to be. So while the full, well thought out list will likely make an appearance next week, I'm giving you a sneak peak of one of my goals today: to make a list of small goals each month. Yeah I know, my first goal is to make more goals. I always love reading Emma's goal lists, and plan to take it to practice this year. So, for January I plan to:

Streamline blog content
I've been a little scattered lately, but overall I feel as if I have a better handle on my blogging schedule now than I have in the past, and I'm really enjoying blogging more than ever. So, I'd like to keep up this momentum. I found this post by Kinsey to be especially helpful.

Get back to the gym
Not having a gym membership really isn't working for me. I wanted it to, but these freezing temperatures and dark mornings are killing what little motivation I have. A temperature-controlled gym sounds really good to me right about now, I'm going a little stir-crazy.

Go for a walk every day
My job takes place entirely behind a computer, and I admit to having busy days where I don't see the sky between the hours of 9 and 5. I know taking a short walk at lunch will help rejuvenate me and get my blood flowing.

Get my hair done
January is my birthday month, and I'm giving myself permission to... be fancy...for lack of a better term. It's a new year and I'm craving a new haircut and color (nothing drastic...yet). For the past year or so, I've neglected my hair largely due to the fact that my stylist is in New Hampshire and I didn't want to go through the stress of finding a new one, but I'm thinking it's time, now that I live 15 hours away from my usual salon. My hair has felt kind of gnarly lately, and I think it's time for a change. Along with this, I've been working on switching over all my cosmetics and bath products (and household too) to be of higher quality and free from animal testing, I've been playing around with make up a little more than usual lately, and it's time I invest in some nice products.

Unplug
Already something I've talked about and have been working on. It was so nice to be back home in Maine over the holidays and free from any cell service, internet access, and television. I need to do this more often.

Do you have any goals for January? Feel free to share them below!

December Goals

From last December, the road past my Mom's house in Maine

I know everyone says it, but allow me to chime in: I can't believe it's December. Sure, every month creeps up, ready to surprise-attack, but December is truly a beast. It's almost 2013! One month to make good on all those resolutions made last January, right? One thing I've realized over the past year, is that I do much better when working with a small list of simple goals- a combination of things I'd like to do and accomplish- than with year-sweeping resolutions. At the start of Autumn, I made a few goals for the season (and I accomplished most of them!), but I think I'm going to make this a monthly thing. 

A few things I'd like to work on this month:

1. Finish the 30 Day Drawing Challenge-

Confession: I started this challenge strong, but eventually other responsibilities creeped in and I wasn't able to finish by the end of November. It's a goal this month to do so.

2. Make Christmas gifts- 

Last year we (I) started a new tradition of choosing a charity, donating in the names of the children in our circle of family and friends, and making tree ornaments to match. I'd love to do that again this year, along with making other gifts. 

3. Spend more time unplugged- 
Chris and I both spend too much time on our phones and on the computer, it's so easy, the screen is just right there. This is already something I've been working on, but will continue to do so. I want to be present, I don't want to be distracted by the ease with which the internet/ Instagram/ Twitter can be accessed.

4. Go on more dates- 
The ever-present resolution. Clearly, we need to get better at planning things to do.

5. Send out Christmas cards in a timely manner- 
If it's not already crystal clear, I'm a  procrastinator. An epic, super-human procrastinator. I can't remember if we sent out cards last year. I'd love to actually make them, but more importantly, send something out, even if it's just a store-bought pack of cards from Target.

There are about a million other things that could be listed here, some of them lighthearted, some of them heavier, life-change things. But I'm going to keep this list short and sweet. I know the holidays will be here before I know it, and when it comes down to it, I just really want to slow down and enjoy the holiday preparation and anticipation of a new year.

What are your goals this month?

Autumn Goals

The view from Cathedral Ledge, back home in New Hampshire last year

I know lists such as these are plentiful this time of year, but well, the gym was closed, and it's raining out tonight, so I actually have some time to sit and think about this sort of thing. Last fall felt all too brief, caught up entirely in the relocation process, we were either frantically looking for a place to live, spending every free moment with friends and family, or tossing all our belongings into a moving van. I can't even remember last October, so I'm determined to enjoy every second of this one (and the last of September, and November too).

As the weather cools, here's what I'm hoping to do this fall:

1. Find some new hiking spots. 
We've mostly just stuck to Ohiopyle this past year, so I'm really excited to branch out and try some new trails.

2. Go apple picking.
This was a fall ritual back home in New England, and I'd love to continue it here in PA. The jury is still out when it comes to finding a good pick-your-own place, but we're definitely going to check out Soergels and Trax Farms.

3. Go to a flea market.
Something we've been waiting all year to do, if the weather holds up, this is what we'll be doing this weekend!

4. Visit friends around the state.
I already have some plans in place for this, but I want to make more. I'm such a week-to-week planner that my weekends are often spent on the fly, so I want to get better at planning ahead of time.

5. Re-do our home office/workspace and clean out the garage.
Our extra bedroom has a desk in it, and a computer, it also houses boxes of stuff to donate, and loads of other stuff we don't need. I'd love to build a new desk and really make it a space I'd like to be in. Also, ugh, our garage. We still have boxes from Massachusetts that have yet to be sorted and unpacked. I've been putting it off because I'm convinced they're now filled with spiders and other undesirables.

6. Have people over more often.
I'm gun shy when it comes to entertaining and get a little anxious about having people over to our place. I'd really love to get over this and entertain a little more.

7. Cook more often.
Confession: I don't like cooking. Chris does, so the majority (read: all) of our meals are cooked by him (except for breakfast and baked goods, two things I do enjoy making). I'd love to try out some new recipes and add a little more to my extremely limited repertoire.

8. Clean out my closet, and be intentional about what I add to it.
I think this is pretty self-explanatory. I think I've become much more aware over the past year of what I'm drawn to fashion- and decor-wise. I've done several closet clean-outs since we moved, and I want to keep the ball rolling seasonally.

9. Decorate for the season.
Our porch is just asking for mums in all colors.

10. Work more with my hands.
I write all day at work, I write in the evenings for this blog, I would love to make more time to create with my hands. It's something that I miss. Ideally, I'd love to take a metal-working class for jewelry fabrication, but have yet to find one that's affordable. This goal goes along with #5, we need to make some space for projects.

Do you make seasonal goals? I'd love to know what you're working on this fall!