January 1, 2014

101 in 1001 Days

After reading and re-reading Mackenzie's 101 in 1001 post I finally decided to commit to creating a list and after thinking, searching and writing I finally completed it.
I am a big fan of lists so this was right up my alley. If you decide to write your own list let me know I would love to see what you all come up with. In the mean time take a look at my list if you like!
Starts: January 1, 2014
Ends: September 28, 2016
1)       Travel to Europe
2)      Post 3-4 times a week on my blog for four months months
3)      Work out 3x a week for 3 months
4)      Cook dinner 4-5 nights a week for a month
5)      Take a mental health day and get pampered
6)      Move into a place by myself
7)      Go to three concerts
8)      Go beach camping (Completed 5/2-4/2014)
9)      Visit New Orleans
10)  Visit San Francisco
11)    Learn Spanish
12)   Give up alcohol for a month
13)   Throw a dinner party
14)   Take a photography class
15)   Buy a new lens for my camera
16)   Go skiing out west
17)   Keep a food diary for three months
18)   Find a volunteer opportunity
19)   Buy a nice luggage set
20) Follow this savings plan for one year
21) Go on a weekend getaway by myself
22) Spend NYE in a different city
23) Complete a blog challenge
24) Take my sister on a graduation trip
25) Practice hot yoga for 3 months
26) Buy a bike
27) Go white water rafting
28) Become a foster parent to a dog (Completed 5/7/2014)
29) No shopping for anything unneeded for two months
30) Pay off my credit card bill
31) Learn how to drive a stick shift
32) Watch every episode of One Tree Hill
33) Start a retirement plan
34) Send my parents on a weekend getaway
35) Refinish three pieces of furniture (1 - 4/13/2014)
36) Learn to French braid
37) Invest in a pair of diamond studs
38) Learn how to edit photos better
39) Work out with a personal trainer for a month
40) Visit Christine in Missouri
41) Go without technology for a weekend
42) Watch five black and white movies
43) Help build a house with Habitat for Humanity
44) Come up with my own signature drink
45) Go without chocolate for a month
46) Follow Paleo for two months
47) Volunteer in a foreign country
48) Make a piece of clothing and wear it on the blog
49) Complete a book of devotionals
50) Send a surprise/fun package
51) Pay for a stranger’s meal
52) Write a letter to my 30 year old self to open on my 30th birthday
53) Create a business card for my blog
54) Write a love letter to my future husband
55) Walk into an airport and buy a ticket
56) Take a cooking class
57) Invest in a leather duffel bag
58) Pack for a trip in under 45 minutes
59) Find a small group and join it
60) Finish and hang my wall gallery
61) Create a recipe book
62) Create my own blog challenge
63) Purchase and maintain an address book
64) Be in bed before eleven for two weeks
65) Find my perfect shade of red lipstick
66) Frame and hang my bachelor’s degree
67) Go meatless for a month
68) Go horseback riding
69) Wake up at 5:30 weekdays for two weeks
70) Throw a NYE dinner party
71) Obtain my gun license
72) Give Blood
73) Learn how to change a tire
74) Make macaroons
75) Attend a blogging conference
76) Take a ballroom dancing class
77) Find a mentor
78) Guest post for a blogger friend
79) Ride a train
80) Create a photo album of my travels
81) Give 20 just because gifts
82) Invest in good jewelry display/storage
83) Read 25 new books
84) Tell someone how I truly feel about them
85) Get teeth professional whitened
86) Visit the farmer’s market weekly for a month
87) Go on a picnic
88) Surprise a friend/relative with a weekend getaway
89) Go wine tasting in Napa Valley
90) Reach my ideal size
91) Purchase a tea kettle
92) Complete my Christmas shopping by November 1st
93) Purchase a pair of Christian Louboutins
94) Purchase a sewing machine
95) Get personalized stationary
96) Buy flowers for the house for a month
97) Take a sign language class
98) Create and decorate a bar area
99) Connect with 5 bloggers
100) Spend all day in bed
101) Take a picture each season at the same location and frame all four pictures together



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December 31, 2013

Plaid + Pearls

 
My family is more of the jeans and sweater type and I am more of the girlier and the dressier the better. So when it came time to pick out an outfit for Christmas Eve with my family I decided to just go with what I wanted. I took a cue from Atlantic-Pacific and went with plaid, pearls and tulle! To my surprise my little cousin like my skirt so much she wants one of her own.
 
 
This picture is a product of my mother's brainy idea to stand in the window seal. Getting down from this window would have been hysterical was I not afraid I was going to fall and break a leg.
 



 
Top: Old Navy | Skirt: DIY | Shoes: Guess, similar | Belt: Target |
Necklace: Amazon | Earrings: Kate Spade | Rings: Gifts | Bracelet: JCrew
 
 
I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and wonderful with loved ones. Have a safe and Happy New Year's Eve!
 



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December 30, 2013

Sparkle Sparkle Little Star

 
Who doesn't love a little or a lot of sparkle in their life. I am a big fan of all things sparkly! When I saw these shorts and for half off I knew it was meant to be. This is one outfit I wore while home for the holidays and I am considering wearing for NYE.
 
 
Top: JCPenney | Shorts: ASOS | Tights: Merona| Booties: Vince Camuto |
Necklace: Jewelmint | Bracelets: Jewelmint, JCrew | Watch: Michael Kors | Rings: Gifts

 
 
This cup is to die for. It sold out online and I was heart-broken...little did I know my boss found it in stores and gifted it to me for Christmas.

 

 
Photos: Philip Sampson (Thanks Dad)
 
So my NYE plans involve a stay in party and some really good friends! I am excited to skip the bar scene this year (does this make me old?) and hang out with good company and a less crowded/crazy atmosphere. Also I can skip on the over priced alcohol and food!
What are your plans this year? Wearing sequins to the event? 
 


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December 9, 2013

Birthday BFFEL

 
What in the world is a BFFEL? Well that would be my lovely friend Kimmy. It came about sometime in college and it has just stuck around!
 
 
We became good friends in high school, 9th grade Algebra class to be exact. She helped me with cheerleading tryouts and the rest has pretty much been history. We have had our ups and downs (what friendship hasn't) but I have no doubt in twenty years we will still be BFFELs. :)
 
 
She married her high school sweetheart this past May. They have been together for 9 years tomorrow. They are the couple other people hope to be one day....or at least I do. They love each other more now than they did a year ago and they trust each other so much. I am so happy they finally became husband and wife this year.




 
These were the high school days.....I am hoping some of those pictures never get resurfaced.....I wonder what we thought sometimes back then! :)


 

 

 
What can I say, we are two peas in a pod. She has always supported me, laughed with me, cried with me and been a shoulder to lean on when I needed one. I am not quite sure what I would do without her, but I am pretty sure I won't ever have to find out. Our friendship has survived high school drama, boys, college and now living in separate cities. We make sure to talk at least once or twice and week and we always know the other is there if there was ever a need.
 
Thank you for being my best friend and a constant in my life. Wishing you the best birthday yet and many many more to come! I look forward to all this life has yet to show us and all the fun, exciting and random memories we have left to make.
 



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December 6, 2013

Welcome the Weekend


 
This weekend will be a crazy one for me, but fun none the less. Babysitting this evening and a friend coming into to town tonight. We are hitting up flywheel early (too early I'm currently thinking) tomorrow morning for a good sweat sesh! Then home to make my Baked French Toast and get ready for brunch and White Elephant. Afterwards we head to Santa Con (pictures should be good) and after that I think Sunday I shall rest!
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
 
 



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