Monthly Archives: January 2012

Jan30

In Love with the Abbey…

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Downton Abbey that is…

I enjoyed season one…but I’m officially enthralled with season two.  I love it all…the memorable characters, wartime drama, exquisite costumes, tricky love triangles and of course Violet’s snarky quips (played by the one & only Maggie Smith)!

Anyone else out there loving season two of this delightful series?

Good news, if you haven’t watched it yet…you can catch up online at PBS!!

{Click images for their source}

Jan27

Goal Five: Get Healthy

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2012 is the year I turn 29…

2012 is the last full year of my 20′s…whoa! 

2012 is the year I will get healthy!! 

When I say healthy…I don’t just mean lose those ten pounds…I don’t just mean eat more greens…I mean really, truly become a healthy individual (mind, body & soul)!!  I want to gain strength, find more energy, breathe easier, eat responsibly and feel confident & proud of my body.

This is a tall order, I know!  But as I get older these bad habits will be all the harder to break…as it will be simultaneously difficult to start new, better routines.  So today is the day…I’m going to seize it…Goal Five: Get Healthy!!

One specific part of this goal is to start running again!!  I hereby challenge myself to run a 5k, 10k and half marathon this year.  Normally I’m not a fan of advertising, but I must say these two ads really hit home and remind me of why I love to run…not just for my body, but for my mental & emotional health as well:

Now it’s time to lace up my shoes, head out the door and start running…

Thanks for letting me put down my 2012 goals in writing this week…I hope you will all help to keep me accountable!!  I also hope to look back on these posts a year from now with satisfaction that I accomplished my goals…hopefully!

{Click images for their source}

Jan26

Dream Bank…

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How cool is this Dream Bank from Uncommon Goods…great inspiration to save (and pretty darn cute)!  You could easily make your own by putting a picture of what you’re saving for in a shadow box and cutting a slit for the money to drop in!  Or just use a large jar with your picture showing through!!

I’m thinking I’ll try this out with a beautiful picture of an apartment I’ve been eyeing…hopefully that will motivate me to keep socking away money!! 

Are you saving up for anything special…a trip, shoes, a new car, etc.?

{Image via here}

Jan26

Goal Four: $ave Money

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This is going to be the hardest, but also most necessary goal of 2012 for me…$ave Money!!!!  In the last couple of years I’ve done a bit of an overhaul on my personal finances.  Things are much better in that department…with the exception of my savings!  It still continues to get depleted rather than grow.

I need to fix this problem because I’d love to move into my own place by next fall…with no roommates to help lighten the cost of living!  And so I need a cushion…a nice, big, fluffy savings cushion to help as I adjust to living by myself.

Here are 18 Ways to Save (at Least) $1 a Day from SavvySugar:

  1. Hold the milk. In your coffee, that is. If you regularly stop at the coffee shop on your way to work, order it black to avoid any extra costs.
  2. Go generic. At the grocery store, pick the generic variety of different foods to save big on pantry staples.
  3. Keep the change. Sure, sometimes it’s annoying to have change littering your purse or jangling in your pocket, but you’d be surprised by how quickly those nickels add up.
  4. Swap soda for water. If you can’t give it up altogether, vow to sip water instead of soda during at least one meal each day.
  5. Trade CDs with a friend. Hoping to add the latest Rihanna song to your workout playlist? Reach out to a friend and burn CDs for each other to gather new music for free.
  6. Fuel up for less. Unless it’s required for your specific car model, nix the premium gas habit and use gasbuddy.com to find the cheapest gas in the area.
  7. Find free WiFi. Work in cafés or libraries with free WiFi. Not sure which spots offer Internet? Use the Free Wi-Fi app to scope out local places with wireless access.
  8. Practice your sewing skills. Skip a trip to the tailor and learn to do the simple adjustments yourself, like shortening a hem or taking in a blouse.
  9. Video chat to save minutes. Rather than spending an hour on your cell phone, use free services like Skype or Google Chat to catch up with your friends.
  10. Choose free apps. Are the premium features really that great? If not, pick the free version of your favorite smartphone apps to avoid unnecessary costs. Check out Free App a Day for daily app offers to help you save.
  11. Use a rewards card. Get major price cuts at the grocery store by using a rewards card. Even better? Look online before shopping to see if there are any coupons available for your must-have items.
  12. Check out free ebooks. Search Amazon for free titles to save big on your reading habit. You’ll be able to explore new authors and genres without spending a dime.
  13. Pick takeout over delivery. Too busy — or, OK, lazy — to cook? Dodge extra delivery fees and tip dollars by ordering takeout instead.
  14. Turn off lights. Leaving multiple lights on throughout the day can cost you, so lower your electricity bill by making sure to turn off every light before you head to work.
  15. Skip the condiment extras. Sandwich add-ons like avocado and cheese quickly add up. If you need more flavor, ask your server to pile on a little more of the free stuff.
  16. Choose app over print. Save on your New York Times subscription by switching to digital access. For $3.75 a week, you’ll have unlimited access to the publication’s website as well as their smartphone app.
  17. Use a thermostat. Automatically adjust the temperature of your home by using a thermostat. To save energy, remember to leave it on rather than turning it on and off when you start to feel hot or cold.
  18. Dry your clothes on a rack. Instead of putting a dollar into the dryer — and possibly another dollar if your items are still damp — hang your clothes on a drying rack.

What do you think…are these good tips?  Do you have any ideas for how to make saving money easier?  I find SavvySugar continually has good money & personal finance tips as well as these two sites:

Sometimes just by browsing these sites and keeping money on my mind, I tend to avoid mindless spending.  This doesn’t always work though…since I stopped at Starbucks to get a coffee this morning, I’d say I’m already off to a rocky start!  But I’m determined to keep saving and achieve this goal!!  Here is some inspiration to keep striving…

{Click images for their source}

Jan25

Goal Three: Take Risks

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My third goal of 2012 is to take more risks!  Now I’m not thinking anything really dangerous or life-threatening…but more of small steps or actions that I’ve always been curious to try.  I want to push the boundaries of my comfort zone…I want to live just a little bit more! 

Here are a few of the “risks” I’m hoping to take this year:

  1. Wear Red Lipstick…and hopefully not feel like I’m playing dress up!
  2. Go to a movie alone…or better yet, eat at a sit down restaurant alone (eeps!)
  3. Pursue my dream of going back to school…stop planning & just do it!
  4. Wear polka dots…or stripes, neon, animal print…mix it up!
  5. Invest in the stock market!
  6. Try leaving the house without any make-up on…this makes me cringe a bit!
  7. Stop being afraid to speak my mind…instead be more transparent with my emotions!
  8. Take a Zumba class…don’t sweat my uncoordinated moves, just sweat!
  9. Wear a two-piece bathing suit…it’s been years (years & years) since I have!
  10. Go on blind date…or two!
  11. Learn to scuba dive…totally scared but also intrigued to try this out!
  12. Save more money…I know this isn’t a risk, but sometimes I believe that by setting money aside I miss out on the fun now!
  13. Go mountain climbing…ok, well maybe just hike more!
  14. Start believing that I’m worth being in a relationship…I do have something to give!
  15. Move into a place all by myself…no roommates, yikes!

Are you a risk taker?  What are some “good” risks you would recommend taking?

{Click images for their source}

Jan24

Goal Two: The “Do” in “DIY!”

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Anyone else out there love Pinterest?  I’m a bit obsessed…honestly I can’t get enough of it!!  However, I do need to get better about actually following through and “doing”…rather than just “pinning!”

I need to cook the meals, mix the drinks, paint the walls, sew the dress, knit the scarf, make the earrings, style my hair…etc.  Pinterest has just become my one big to-do list…and my second goal for 2012 is to start the “Do” in “Do It Yourself!!”

Here are two projects I pinned awhile ago from In Honor of Design…and just got the supplies for!  Let the “doing” officially begin!!

**Click project name or photo for full DIY instructions! **

{Tassel Earrings}

{Sequin Clutch}

{My Purchased Supplies!}

…I promise to post an update when I’m finished making these cute accessories!! 

Any fun DIY projects you are working on?

**Update**

{Finished Clutches}

{Finished Earrings}

{Click images for their source}