1. Get an apartment. Okay, I’m sort of cheating by writing this one because Stan and I just found out that our apartment application has been approved!! We’re moving in two days after we come back from Cali. SO EXCITED! I can’t wait to decorate and set up my own space for my soapmaking :)
2. Learn to sew. Stan and I have been staying at my Aunt Irene & Uncle Dave’s house in LA for the past few days and Irene has shown me some amazing things that she’s sewn — a few rugs, purses, napkins, upholstery, and all of the window coverings/drapes, etc. I just think it’s so empowering to be able to make your own clothing/accessories/home decor exactly the way you want it. I hope we have time for Irene to teach me how to use a sewing machine. Even if she doesn’t, I’m planning on buying a used sewing machine and learning so I can make stuff for our new apartment!
3. Knit more. I didn’t really knit a whole lot this year, except for finishing the black scarf seen in this post. I need to master purling so I can move on to more complicated stitches and patterns like hats with ears on them. I really want to make those!
4. Exercise more. I signed up for a gym membership a few months ago, but I’ve only gone about 4 times. I really need to build up my stamina and some muscle. I gotta stop asking Stan to open jars for me :/
5. Meditate. I used to meditate a lot, but life has been incredibly stressful for me the past few months with family quarrels, exams, papers, and work all weighing me down. In the new apartment, I plan on trying to meditate at least once a week to begin with, then up to once a day like my Uncle Dave does.
6. Do Yoga. I’m keeping this separate from exercising because I want to do this in addition to going to the gym. I think UConn offers free Yoga classes to students, so I’ve got to look into that. I tried to stretch in the shower this morning and I can’t touch my toes. SAD!
7. Have more date nights with Stan. I love that I’m doing well in school and am simultaneously able to do crafty stuff and soapmaking, but sometimes that means my time with Stan suffers. He’s going to be working more now, but I want to plan more date nights, even if it’s just a night where we stay in, order takeout, and watch a movie. <3
8. Hang out with friends more. On that same note, I rarely see friends while I’m juggling school, this blog, the Cupcake Soap Shoppe, work, and Stan. The apartment that Stan and I are moving into is a lot closer to my friend Jordan, who is also super crafty, so I hope we can hang out more. Conversely, I’ll be much farther from my friend Michele, who I also need to hang out with more. This year, I’m going to work on better maintaining my friendships.
9. Visit Ben & Marcus again. I love love love them and we are so great together. Whether Stan and I go back out to Michigan or they come out here, it doesn’t matter. I am definitely seeing them again this year. It needs to be an annual tradition. I miss them so much.
10. Keep better track of my money. Having an apartment is going to be expensive, so I need to trim back my expenses and stop buying things that I don’t really need. I need to go back to using Mint.com obsessively.
11. More consignment. When I actually do need clothes, I need to do more shopping at consignment shops and I should start consigning clothes that I’m getting rid of. Moving is a good time to start this!
What are the things you want to accomplish this year?
Now that 2010 is over, I’m looking back and thinking it was a pretty good year. Here are some of my favorite things & posts I’ve done.
January:Poor, Pretty, & Peonies – Mish & I loved doing our very first video post, which was sort of a how-to shop consignment at one of our favorite consignment boutiques, Peonies Couture in Centerbrook, CT. Our video was even featured on the BUST Magazine blog! We also introduced Friday Faves this month.
March: Stan and I spent a few days of our Spring Breakin NYC, checking out the Tim Burton exhibit at the MOMA and eating lots of cupcakes. I also did a few fun hair bow & hair accessory DIYs.
September: After starting to make cupcakes from scratch, I’ll never go back to box! Here’s a recipe for red velvet cupcakes I made specially for the season finale of True Blood, plus a chai tea latte recipe, which I’m addicted to. I also started Today’s Threads this month and discovered Plato’s Closet, another consignment shop.
Tomorrow, Stan and I are heading to Los Angeles for a week, yay! Though the chief reason for our trip is to help re-design my uncle’s website, I’m also looking forward to doing some vintage/consignment shopping and cupcake-eating! If you know of any great places I should check out, leave me a comment!
xoxo,
Sami
P.S. Since I’ll be in Cali, the Cupcake Soap Shoppe will be closed during my trip.
P.P.S. In case you were wondering, the title of this post is a title of a great song by The Decemberists <3.
I bought this dress on Etsy from River of Romansk and I absolutely adore it. I don’t attend very many fancy events, but I was happy to be able to wear it twice in the last two weeks. Hopefully, I’ll find more occasions in which to wear it, but if not, I’m perfectly happy dressing up just to dress up!
The only gripe I have about the dress is that it’s a little short, but I remedied this by wearing my favorite skirt underneath {see above}. I’ve also worn it with white leggings. It’s also a bit see-through and low cut, so I wore a lace-trimmed tank top underneath.
Headband: Dollar store! 4 for $1! Dress: River of Romansk, $39.80. Ribbon: part of a gift. Ruffle Skirt: Forever 21, under $10. Tights: Forever 21, around $7. Shoes: Famous Footwear {brand is Roxy}, $20 on sale.
I found this cute online magazine while I was browsing Wolf and Willow, and I thought I’d share it with you. Celebrate was put together by Bonnie from Going Home to Roost, and it’s choc full of wonderful winter DIYs — bath bombs, paper pom poms, and even downloadable/printable gift tags, wrapping paper, and an adorable 2011 woodland creatures calendar.
In the hustle & bustle of this busy season, please don’t forget to take the time to celebrate!
Happy Holidays!
xoxo,
Sami
