Daily Threads: And My 2011 Goals

{sweater: belk | blazer: LC | skinnies: tj maxx | boots: steve madden}

I've never been one to make new year resolutions. When I have, I never get very far with them. I feel like sometimes they can become so epic that conquering them becomes intimidating or unattainable and you give up all together. I'm also not a fan of the fact that such emphasis and pressure is placed on setting these resolutions on Jan. 1st.   This year I am focusing on goals. Goals that are achievable and that improve my life in more than one way. So I bring you - my goals for 2011.

1. Get a job!

This is self-explanatory, but it's my reality. I need a job. I've had an incredibly difficult time finding a job in my field since moving to our new, small town. I know there is always more that I can do and I am daily going to be searching for the job that I'm supposed to have. 

2. De-clutter.

Now, before you go making judgments about what my house, closet, or office may look like, let me state that I am not a hoarder, by any means, but I know I have things here and there that I could get rid of. Throughout the year I plan to tackle rooms, closets, drawers, storage, and whatever else needs to be tackled. I've always wanted to do this and taking the whole year to focus on each room individually sounds achievable!

3. Organize. 

Which rightfully falls behind de-clutter. After the de-cluttering process takes place, mission organization comes into play. Being organized is one of the best ways to improve your life (in my opinion) and if I can when I thoroughly and successfully tackle the de-cluttering and organizing, I will be one happy little girl. 

4. Be more active. 

Between school, our wedding, and re-locating last year I had very little time to think about exercising - and even less time to actually exercise. While it isn't my favorite thing in the world, I understand it's benefits for making me a healthier (and subsequently a happier) person. Whether it's being on the treadmill while watching the television or taking Maeby on long walks/jogs, I will make an effort to exercise in some way, shape, or form throughout each week.

5. Try at least 50 new recipes.

This equals out to almost a new recipe each week. I really enjoy cooking. It's not only a way to fill your belly and nourish your body, but it can also be a source for creativity. I get into ruts where I generally just cook what I know. There are a hand-full of recipes that I can whip together - and husband loves them, but it eventually gets old (to me) and I want to try new things.  I'm not looking to try the latest gourmet French cuisine, so don't expect that, but I am looking to surprise our taste-buds once a week!

6. Recognize a reason to be thankful each day.

Life can get so busy and hectic that we forget to take note of how blessed we are. Small or large, it doesn't matter, there will always be something within the day to be thankful for. Taking the time to recognize whatever it may be will really bring my attention to what matters most, how blessed I truly am, and force a bit of humility on me. I plan on documenting these daily by journal and sometimes on here. 

So these are my main goals throughout the year that I will be working on. I have several others, but they aren't as significant. And I'm sure that as the year passes, I will acquire other goals I would like to accomplish. Here's to a new year, a fresh start, and improvements within all of our lives! (I just raised my glass. Don't be rude, raise yours too.) Hear, Hear.

Daily Threads: NYE

{top&tights: target | skirt: F21 | booties: steve madden | necklaces: self-made}

I brought in the new year with bubbly, family, and a sequin skirt - it was exactly what I wanted. I had this outfit in mind for a while and I was very pleased when it all came together; however, it would have been perfect if I could have found a silver, glittery cone hat with an elastic chin strap and a hand full of confetti. That would have been bringing in the new year right! Maybe next year! Here are a couple photos from the night.

All the children.

(husband, me, Julianne (husband's sister), Lesley (husband's brother's wife), and Jamie (husband's brother)

The girls. 

Hello 2011

Chris and I brought in the new year in Savannah with all of his family. His brother and wife were in from Kentucky and his sister came in from Maine. Today, to celebrate the new year, his grandparents, uncle and aunt, and cousins came up to celebrate not only the new year, but also GaGa's birthday! Here's the birthday girl and one of her cakes (she had three! can I have three this year?). 

While we were all together, we decided some family photos were in order. Here are the silly out-takes. Enjoy them.

And here is a good one.

Happy New Year! 

I have a resolutions post and a NYE outfit post coming up!

Twenty-Ten

What an amazing year this has been. Definitely one of the most accomplished and memorable years thus far in my life. I'm always amazed at how quickly years pass by the older I become. A year ago I was starting my last semester of grad school (and last semester of school ever!) and living in the NC mountains; with the blink of an eye it's 12 months later and everything has changed. That's life - always changing. But... if life didn't move we wouldn't grow into who we need to be.

I am overwhelmed with joy to look back on such an amazing year and share it with you all. I am also really embracing the new year; I'm looking forward to what it holds in store for me, my husband, us as a pair, and life in general.

My Memorable Moments of 2010:

1. I finished my seven-year plan of test taking, studying, sitting in classrooms, and reading entire textbooks. At some point I doubted the time would ever come, but it did. And sometimes (dare I say it) I wish I were back in those classrooms.

2. I passed the praxis and my master's project. I feel like I've written on this before either here or on another blog, but I am so very proud of these two accomplishments. I put a lot of hard work, anxiety and stress, and time into these two and passing them reassures all the hard work the past several years has been worth it.

3. Chris and I both graduated. It took a little bit longer than we had planned (and our parents had planned), but we made it. We worked hard and now hold substantial degrees and are very proud of them.

4. I had the wedding of my dreams. I was never one of those girls that fantasized about their wedding from day one. I just wasn't. When I started wedding planning I wasn't even really sure what I wanted, what details were important to me, or what exactly I wanted to look like that particular day.But somehow, with a lot of work and a lot of help, July 17, 2010 turned into the most perfect day I could have ever imagined. I wanted a beautiful ceremony and a fun, all-night reception and I was blessed with both! (This reminds me I need to get back on my BEV posts to share more of our wedding)

5. We honeymooned in St. Lucia and I went out of the country for the first time. This isn't completely true because I have been to Canada, twice, but I usually don't count that (sorry if that offends any of my Canadian readers). I can re-state it: I flew out of the country for the first time. It was gorgeous down in the Caribbean and I hope I get to visit again.

6. I moved from NC to AL. This may not sound like a big deal to some, but I have lived in NC my whole life. 25 years - born and raised. I knew no other state other than a visit. We've been living down here almost five months and I've realized I love NC. It's my state, it's our state, and we have plans to eventually make our way back to the state we call home. This move has been hard on both of us, but it was crucial to Chris's new career and we are so blessed and happy for his opportunities.

7. I turned 26. Which may not seem like such a big deal, but it was to me. I am now officially "upper-twenties." Initially I was scared of 26, but I have definitely embraced it and been enjoying it.

8. I was introduced to Kooley High. You most likely have no clue who Kooley High is and have no clue as to why this is important to me - so let me elaborate. When I went to grad school Chris stayed in Raleigh for school and through a friend he discovered a local hip-hop group called Kooley High. He was immediately a fan and I listened to him rant and rave over this group for months. I finally was able to see them perform on a weekend trip to Raleigh in the Spring and I was hooked right away. They are from the Raleigh area, came together through the NC State hip-hop club, and are currently in NYC making a name for themselves. Over the course of several months we became friends with four of the guys. They are down to earth, humble, and amazingly talented. Even if you do not care for hip-hop, you have to recognize their talents when they hit the stage. KHigh's DJ, Ill Digitz, was the DJ for our wedding, Charlie Smarts (one of the emcees) was our announcer, and all of the guys made it to our wedding and gave a three-songed, late-night performance at our reception. It was amazing! Look out for these guys and check out their tour dates to try and go see them while they play locally!

Several other memorable moments took place throughout this past year, but you would probably just pass by this post if I continued to make it much longer. I hope that 2010 was as good to you as it was to me. I also hope that we all can be blessed, happy, and a little bit wealthier through 2011. Happy New Year!

Daily Threads: Wolfpack Red

{Tee&Skirt: F21 | Belt: thrifted | Scarf: gifted | Tights: Target | Boots: Steve Madden}

Today was not a great picture-taking day. Not due to rain or snow or freezing temperature, but because my belt was crooked in most of the shots, the camera was focused on the trees rather than me, and my scarf was misbehaving. Now that that is over...

I wore red today in lieu of my Wolfpack football team coming out with a huge win in the Champs Sports Bowl over West Virginia. I was {shamefully} doubtful going into the game. WV is #22 and we aren't even ranked, but we came out on top, and by a large margin might I add (23-7)! Not all of you, in fact, very few of you share my love of NC State football, so I'll keep this paragraph to a minimum. I just have to say I am so extremely happy and excited for those boys! Go Pack!

Today I continued cleaning around the house - washing clothes, unpacking, and getting ready for another weekend of traveling. We are {hopefully} leaving for Savannah tomorrow when Chris gets off work. I plan on rising early to finish up some cleaning (it. never. ends.) and then pack up our bag. I hope to make some tasty treats to take with us as well. We are going to spend the weekend with Chris's parents, his brother and wife, and his sister, have our Christmas together, and bring in 2011. I'm super excited to see everyone!