resolutions :: 2012 edition

Today is the day.

The day that everyone vows to change themselves; better themselves; do something different.

 

I, like just about everyone else, have made goals for 2012.

I want to read more, get healthier, enjoy my family more, be a better friend, etc., etc.

 But at the same time, I want to keep some perspective.

The time of year that I make these goals/resolutions will not ultimately make or break me.

Yes, it feels nice to have the "fresh start" that rolls around every January 1st (or beginning of any week/month),

but if I fall off my resolution horse, so to speak, it's okay to pick my self up, dust myself off and get back on, without calling it a failure for the year.

Honestly, I have to keep this in mind whenever I make a goal, no matter the time of year.

My natural state of mind, unfortunately, tends to be "all or nothing".

I find it  very hard to not feel like a failure when I slip a little.

And I tend to set VERY lofty goals, instead of smaller, more manageable ones.

Maybe that should be my goal this year....

To not over burden myself with goals that are too far fetched.

To be proud of my smaller accomplishments, and even celebrate them!!

Slow and steady wins the race, right?!

How about a dose of inspiration?

 

It really is the small things that make the biggest difference....

And because, sometimes, we should let out our inner child...

What are your 2012 resolutions?

happy new year!!

While I will be ringing in the new year at home with a bottle of Moscato and the company of the hubs (the coolest guy EVER!!) and two sleeping kiddos, I will admit that ever since I was a teenager I've wondered what it would be like to be counting down to the next year at some super swank party complete with balloons, champagne, hats and noisemakers.

Oh, and some absolutely fabulous party wear, of course!!

Let's be honest, the main reason I want to attend a fancy schmancy New Years Eve party is for an excuse to get all dolled up. ;)

And while looking on Pinterest, I realized that my ideas for the perfect outfit to wear while ringing in the new year all have something in common....SPARKLE!!

So pretty!!

One day I WILL own (and wear) a fabulous sparkly dress, just for the hell of it!!

Have a wonderful and glittery (and SAFE!) New Years Eve!!!

light it up!

One of my ABSOLUTE favorite things about Christmastime is all of the lights!

I love them!

From outdoor to indoor.

White to multicolored.

Big bulbs to small.

They bring a smile to this girl's face.

Some of my fondest memories of the holiday season growing up was driving around neighborhoods looking at all of the outdoor lights.

Hopefully, this will be a love and tradition I can pass on to my own littles.

Currently, I have white lights on our tree and a few strands of small bulb multicolored ones hung around our living room.

And, for most of the day (which is cold and rainy), they have been the only lights on in the main part of my apartment.

So cozy!

This Christmas I am finding myself craving the joy of bright, gaudy, vintage inspired decorations.

And, at the top of my current decor wishlist is some of the old-fashioned BIG bulbed multicolored lights.

 

I would totally rock those around my abode!

And, being the Pinterest-aholic that I am, i just couldn't resist gleaning some inspiration (and happiness!) from the interwebz.

 

I am seriously thinking about incorporating some of these magical little lights into my year-round home decor.

 

 

all photos via

Stay tuned for a little project with my kiddos that I will be tackling this weekend incorporating twinkle lights!

inspiration workshop! - holiday tips & secrets

Hey there!! 

Happy 1st day of December!!

Long time no blog.

Honestly, there really is no specific reason that I haven't blogged in a while.

I guess I just needed a break.

But I'm back now and pumped to be posting a lot more (hopefully) this month.

And, of course, with it being Thursday and all, it's time for another Inspiration Workshop! post, brought to you by the lovely blog Gussy Sews.

Today's prompt is, Holiday Tips & Secrets.

 

Truth be told, I don't really have that many holiday tips or secrets, other than sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself.

It's WAY too easy to get completely caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

I feel like people (myself included) often forget to just ENJOY all of the wonderful things that this time has to offer.

Having two littles at home, I admit that I feel the pressure to make their Christmas "special".

To make it something they will look back on as adults and remember fondly.

And, given my "all or nothing" nature, a special holiday looks like perfection in my head.

And if I give my kiddos anything below "perfection", I can wind up feeling a big, fat failure.

How many other mamas out there understand this feeling?

Can I get an, "AMEN!"?

 

So this holiday season I am going to strive to relax and HAVE FUN!!

Sure, there are a lot of little projects I want to do with my little ones, but am I going to do them all?

Most likely, no.

And, this year I refuse to beat myself up over it.

What happens, will happen, and we'll have fun and create memories in the process.

As time goes on, I realize more and more that the memories my daughter holds onto are not the same as mine.

She relishes in the small moments.

The moments when she and I spend time together.

She won't remember that the Christmas cookies we make look funny because she just has to mix the frosting colors together.

She will remember that she got to help mommy bake and that we had fun getting everything messy.

 

She won't remember the glitter in the carpet that took a month to vacuum up.

She'll remember that I took the time to make a fun Christmas craft with her.

She won't remember the gingerbread house that was lopsided.

She'll remember making a piece of art and being proud of it.

all photos via pinterest
This year I am pledging to let go of my perfectionist tendencies and just have FUN!!