2014 Resolutions

Last year I was on it.  Three days into the new year and I had a post about my resolutions & goals for the year.  This year, it's day 13 and I'm just getting to it.  With two kids who consume every moment of my time, there hasn't been a lot of focus on the blog.  I apologize for that but I imagine most of you understand the need to put things on the back burner that aren't as important in life.  I shared my 2012 & 2013 goals with you so feel free to check those out if interested, otherwise, let's get to it.

Continuing the trend, one of my biggest goals/resolutions for 2014 will be surrounding weight loss & fitness.  It's funny, last year when I wrote that post my goal was start dieting, exercising, sharing my stories with you and only 3 weeks later I found out I was pregnant with Graham.  So this year, that will be a huge focus for me especially since his deliver is so recent.  I've got a weight loss goal in mind but mini goals along the way.  Part of the weight loss goal is also a goal to get more active and tone up my body more.  You can guarantee I'll be doing 30 day shred again.

Rick and I talked yesterday about selling our house and we think this year might be the year to make that happen.  I'm really excited about that because we've been in the house for 8 years now and we're all cramped so the  goal is start focusing on that search towards the end of the year and hopefully be moved by about this time next year.

Becoming more involved with Addie and Graham.  I know this sounds bizarre since I spend nearly every other hour with Graham throughout the night, but I need to be more focused in my interaction with them.  I think we all fall victim to technology being so readily available and I sometimes find myself checking out Facebook when I'm nursing Graham.  What I should be doing is enjoying those quiet moments just the two of us when he's happiest. Last year, this was sort of a goal of mine with Addie.  To get her more involved in activities with children her age.  In a couple weeks she starts dance and I cannot wait.

It's funny as I read back on 2012's summary for 2013 regarding my career.  I spoke about how I had become stagnant in my career and made a leap to leave a company I had been with for quite sometime.  I also mentioned I thought 2013 would be a huge year for my career.  Funny how that prediction worked out.  Midway through 2013 I had an opportunity to take a promotion with the new company and spent a lot of time focusing on doing my best at the job.  Towards the end of 2013 I was approached by my former employer to make a return to my previous company which I did.  I actually started last Monday so 2013 was huge for me.  This year, I'm really looking to focus in my job and make myself a prominent member of the team.

And finally, and probably a pretty important goal I seem to set every year, is to take more pictures.  This has become more and more important to me since having Graham because I feel like I don't have a lot of time to focus on this.  I feel like I'm short changing both Graham and Addie and even Rick and me.  We'll need those photo memories at some point in our lives to remember these days that seem to roll together in one big blur.  Those two kids are the reason we work so hard at our jobs and to become better people.

What's your biggest goal or resolution for the new year?

-stephanie

2013 Resolutions & Goals

Well, it's been a year since I did this last and I need to put down my goals & resolutions so next year at this time I can go back and see if I did anything.  A couple days ago I did a look back on last years goals so with that, here are this years goals.

The weight loss goal. Let's be honest, I'm a woman so of course one of my goals is to lose weight, but not just lose weight.  I need to tone up.  I'll be posting about healthy recipes I try out and workouts I'm doing that actually work.

The blog goal.  Last year I told you I wanted to get more involved in the blog.  By getting my readers to become more active and respond when they post.  The hard part is getting you to leave a comment.  Do I ask questions hoping you'll respond?  Do I tell you about something flameworthy just so you can comment about my bad parenting?  (I'm actually trying to avoid that one, thank you!).  I also need to get more sponsors!  In fact, I have a discount going for the month of January so if you know someone who wants to be sponsor, send them here.

The house goal.  Organized was my goal last year and I'm getting there, particularly with my basement.  But also purging out what we don't need, donating clothes sitting in my closet that haven't been worn in 6 months.  Painting the kitchen, etc.

The kid goal.  A family member watches Addie during the week and because of that, has no interaction with kids her age.  It's quite clear to me that Addie desperately needs that interaction so I want to enroll her in some play & learn type classes, go to library for storytelling, etc.

The picture taking goal.  Not only do I want to make sure I'm taking pictures of Addie, I want to take better pictures.  This means learning more about my camera besides changing some settings and hoping for a good end result.  My photo editing within Adobe Photoshop Elements is also in desperate need of perfecting.

The finishing a project goal.  Okay, let me be really honest with you and myself.  I'm bad about starting something and not finishing.  A craft project, a workout project (hello 30 Day Shred), painting, etc.  So when I start something I need to finish it before moving on to something else.

So, here's where I try to work on that blog goal...what are your resolutions/goals?  Do you start teaching your children about goals/resolutions or do you think that's setting them up for failure?  Hit me with a comment!  :)

-stephanie

Organizing - Vogue Style

One of my 2012 goals was to become more organized around the house.  I have to say with Addie's party planning taking up the first half of the month the house has become a serious cluttered mess and is really not livable.  I have anxiety every time I come in the house but I don't know where to start.

So as I was looking at Vogue's website I saw this great article on products to help with organization and knew it was the universe speaking to me.  Telling me it was time to get my life organized.  The interesting this is I currently do some of these things.

For Your Shoes.  I currently keep my shoes in boxes but these window options are amazing!

The Tool: Linen drop-front shoe boxes, $15; containerstore.com

The Tip: “Beautiful shoes deserve to be seen and taken care of—this option does not trap in moisture but still lets you see inside,” said Graves.

For Your Clothes.  I organize all of my clothes by color and hang on black hangers, though I think it's time to re-organize based on the color scheme their suggesting.

The Tool: Black Huggable Shirt Hangers, $10 for package of 10; containerstore.com

The Tip: “It is hard to recognize that you have six different black skirts when they are not placed together.  After polling friends and testing closets out a million different ways, we have concluded that the rainbow method (ROY G BIV) with white at the beginning and black at the end and lightest to darkest within that makes a closet most appealing for anyone to shop. Also, stick with black hangers, colored ones tend to get dirty.” 

For Your Jewelry.  My jewelry organization is a organized chaos right now.  I love the look of this organizational box.

The Tool: California Closets acrylic jewelry inserts, price upon request; California Closets 646.486.3905

The Tip: “As time changes, so does the style of jewelry.  Having a custom jewelry drawer ensures that everything—from bangles to simple bracelets—will fit!”

For the Toys.  Let's be honest, part of the reason I'm so disorganized at home is because I have a toddler!  Toy organization is a must.  I have a much cheaper remedy, but I still love this basket.

The Tool: Round log basket with handles, $375; mecoxgardens.com

The Tip: “Consistency and predictability are key when organizing a child’s room. All toys must be stored in the same containers and labeled appropriately (i.e., action figures, costumes, puzzles, crayons). When the child is younger, adding a picture next to the label helps foster early literacy skills as well. “ 

For your Makeup.  Again, this product has a hefty price tag but I love the concept.  I'm guilty of buying more products than I'll ever use and I know I won't get rid of any of it.

The Tool: Uten.Silo I, $465; For information: vitra.com

The Tip: "Makeup can be so tough because many women have a hard time letting go of it, but keep in mind, makeup expires too! It's nice to put restrictions on the amount of space you have. When you run out of room in a container, you know it is time to get rid of some things. "

These are only a few ideas I found over at Vogue, for the entire list check them all out here.  How do you stay organized?  Do you have a product you love?

2012 Resolutions

I know, I know.  I'm not a huge new years resolution person because I tend to let them fall away after a month or so, but it's still great to set  goals.  This year is no different.  So here is a list of my goals for the year:

Lose weight (I know, who doesn't have this on their list) - not only do I want to lose 15 pounds, I want to become more aware of what I'm consuming and tone up my tummy.

Become a better blogger - I have great followers but I need more interaction between my readers.  I would also like to make some income from blogging, who wouldn't right?!  It would be nice to supplement my income with some additional money.

Become more aggressive with my career path - I've become too comfortable in my day job.  I need to become more aware of what my opportunities are as well as where I want to be.

Create a fun, organized living space - We've been living in our house for 6 years now and I finally feel that we're settling into the house and are purchasing items for the house and rotating out hand me downs.  With this I need to create spaces that flow are pleasing to the eye.  We need to become more organized.  My so organized it's bordering on OCD, I don't like things out of place and start having small anxiety attacks.  My husband is the complete opposite.  He can live in total chaos so we need to mesh our living styles a little better.

These are all pretty large challenges I need to work on so I'll be taking each one step at a time.  Stay tuned for updates on each goal throughout the next few weeks and hopefully months!  Don't forget to enter to win in our Thirty-One giveaway!