Fancy Free Posting

It's happened a few times now.  Falling victim to the infinite world of the Internet.  Having so much knowledge, opinion, and otherwise can often make a very tiny blog feel extremely overwhelmed.  Ideas may not seem so brilliant any longer, and elements of style may not feel so trendy.  It's silly, of course.  Who's to say any of that is true no matter where or who you look to?

So it occurred to me this week, as I was missing having an outlet of some sort for my words that perhaps it doesn't have to all fit in perfect boxes.  Certain topics don't have to be saved for specific days, and an entity doesn't have to stand for a particular subject.  Maybe words, ideas, and otherwise are entitled to be just that sometimes.  Free to view and take or leave whenever necessary.

So if no one else minds, let me get back to what's on my mind...

{Image via The Sartorialist}

May Days

On Monday the pressure was on to decide on a resolution for May.  I had tossed a couple ideas around the previous week, but wasn't necessarily committed to any one.  On my walk home from work it occurred to me that I had been home all weekend, celebrating my good friend's engagement no less, and had not one photo to show for it.  I was leaning in favor of a picture a day, but it seemed like a lofty commitment.  While reading through my blog roll that evening though I stumbled across this graphic.  That sealed it.  If I had a though, just something sweet and simple, I could find something to snap.  Just two days in and I've already been enjoying random stops, and have had complete disregard for looking like an annoying tourist.

Here's to lots of sights to enjoy come May 31st!

{Image via The Bottom of the Ironing Basket}

Many Moments

This month I took a break from trying to cram a goal into a fixed amount of days.  Instead I vowed that whenever life would get me down, I'd remind myself of all my joys.

You know what?  Often times that's hard.  It's not the tallying of all the pros and crossing off the cons. It's the remembering to remember.  It's much easier to keep looking at a black hole rather than averting the eyes.  

Like all the resolutions that have come before, I found this one to carry the same theme.  That once you start making something a habit, it will end up just as that.  

As far as all of those blessings that count?  Well, a very basic mathematical principle applies.  That of infinity.  If you have even just one blessing then you hold too many to count. 

If I were to have just one for each day though...

1. Spring flowers of many colors
2. Over the counter medicine
3. Nights spent on the couch
4. Healthy wakeup calls
5. Basic recipes that make you feel like a bonafide cook
6. Plane tickets
7. Weekends spent with your mom
8. Weekends spent with your grandparents
9. Clear aisles at the grocery store
10. Last minute freed up evenings
11. Kicking bad habits
12. Flexible work scheduling
13. Personal days
14. Watching great games up close and personal
15. Sundays spent with family and friends
16. Convenience stores 
17. The television shows you wait all week for
18. Free drinks
19. 45 minutes to walk it off
20. Friday nights spent at home
21. That movie you've watched 103 times
22. A brand new pair of shoes paid for with your hard earned money
23. Last minute plans
24. Last minute travel
25. Afternoon sit-down lunches
26. Game nights
27. The people you can always call and count on
28. Celebrating happy news for others
29. Sunday brunch
30. Forgetting your lunch, but having an even better one

"There's too many things I haven't done yet.  Too many sunsets I haven't seen."
--Sara Bareilles, Many the Miles

{Image Credit: The Cherry Blossom Girl}

Count Your Blessings

Somehow April's already flying by!  Three days gone already?  A day out sick with the flu and suddenly it's Opening Day Eve.  I guess one can't be too surprised then that I was a wee bit unprepared for my month's resolution.  Having been ill with that darn flu though, as well as coming off an enjoyable while all the while heading into a panic over a new month got me to thinking.  Too much of the forward button is being hit, and not enough of the rewind.  Time to start remembering everything that's good in life.  This month, every time I'm down on the dog days, or am thinking too far ahead I'll have my handy day notebook beside me where I can remind myself of all my blessings.


This can commence immediately as I look upon my bank account from the past weekend...

Have a Heart

This month I made my most corny resolution yet.  I must admit that day one, the task at hand seemed pretty daunting.  Perhaps it was.  The main objective of a resolution though is to, in the end, find the truth.  My previous two months' resolutions were very blatant truths.  This month's wasn't as obvious to find until closer to the end.

For the most part, the month went as all others do.  You see a cute guy at the bar, you do the 15 minute song and dance of exchanging glances, and then it's time for the introduction.   This time though that part had to be done by me.  If I had to be honest, a part of me really hated it.  It forced me out of my enjoyable comfort zone, so that much was to be expected.  Through all of the awkwardness, I learned a few things about myself that I consider important to note on my journeys going forward.

Always take up a challenge.  This whole resolution was obviously quite the endeavor in and of itself, and was something I wouldn't let myself put to the wayside.  More importantly though, most people you meet in life will challenge you from small things, such as calling or asking for your number, to larger things like as moving away.  When they're matters of the heart or mind, I find it always better to take the longer road.

The best things come your way when being exactly who you are.    Extending your hand, offering your name, and possibly tossing out your number is all fine and good.  However, the the real butterflies will always come when you least expect it: when you're just living in the moment.

I have confidence in me.  The most attractive quality you can have is confidence.  Followed closely by style and charisma.  Always believe in yourself, what you stand for, and what you want.  Only when you do can anything, or anyone, truly love you back.

{Image Credit: Max Wanger}

A Word

Finally, my March resolution!  Let me forewarn, it's a bit cheesy sounding.  Yet it is probably going to be the one to post the greatest challenge yet.  Okay, here goes...

This month every time I'm out and about and see a lad who catches my eye, I'm going to actually approach him.  

Lame, right?  Maybe in simple theory.  However, I highly doubt I'm the only old fashion gal out there who fights tooth and nail to be the one to make the first move.  The battle's been fought for so long that it's actually become one of my greater fears.  

Alas, it's high time for this 21st century gal to get with this new philosophy and way of life.  Chivalry may not be dead, but it's art has taken on different forms.  Fortunately for myself, art history was one of my better subjects.  

That's it then.  Whether I'm out for drinks, hanging out at Trader Joe's on Sunday, or maybe even just taking the morning elevator ride if there's an opportunity, I'll be there.  Can't be too hard, right?

{Image Credit: Ruth Orkin}

Always Being Well

The second month of the year is now under our belts.  We did it!  To be honest, I don't know how I did. It went by with the blink of an eye.  While I wish I could have snuck in a couple extra good hours of sleep, my resolution of focusing on beauty and wellness served me well through this hectic month.  More than anything I learned the importance of keeping up with your appearance.  It may sound like a shallow statement, however it's anything but.

For instance, have you ever actually gone and gotten a massage when you've said you needed one?  If you have, most likely your posture and gait improved fairly significant.  Not only then did the pain fade away, but your confidence became more noticeable as well.

It's similar to having your nails done.  In a world of emails and tablets taking up the majority of our work days, our are probably within view more than anything else throughout the day.  Manicures are able to remedy rather minor remedies in our most significant of instruments.

Feeling incrementally better physically can make a huge difference in anyone's state of well being or attitude.  So think of the wonders that can be done when you make improvements to your emotional and mental well being.  Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is talk to someone.  It doesn't always mean they'll have answers.  Nor can they change everything.  What often times happens though is they can remind you of your sanity.  More importantly, they can bring to the forefront of your mind the things that you actually do, think, and want.  Maybe it sounds simple.  That's what makes it such a great gift.

The key word in all of this is a rather boring one:  investment.  You need to invest the time to do these things for yourself.  Which then leads to money, and maybe a little more than you had in the past.  Depending, of course, on how much you want to invest in yourself.

{Image Credit:  Sparkly Pony}

Monday Mahhhhhh....sagge

My February resolution of beauty and wellness was in large part due to my aching back.  I don't pay near enough solid attention to its twists, knots, and tensions.  Today it screamed at me.  To the point that there was no ignoring it, and I could not and would not listen to it a minute longer.  Half expecting my care for it to start at a neighborhood chiropractor's office, I lost patience with appointment books.  So I put in an emergency phone call to a friendly massage business just a couple blocks from work.  And thank goodness I did.  I walked through their doors in a half daze not knowing where I could crash and lie down first.  By the grace of great hands I left feeling a complete new person.  In 60-minutes I was healed of all nots, throbbing pressure points, and even my nagging headache.  The difference was so great that I even marked in down in my agenda calendar of when to schedule my next one.  Resolutions helping resolutions; the year is working out well already!

{Image Credit: via What Would Noni Like}

Being Well

In February I resolve to be as well as I possibly can be.  Because the better I physically take care of myself the more beauty I'll be emulate in my energy.

(Images: The Container Store, InStyle, via A Piece of Toast}

So Fresh, So Clean

Old bedding

Effects of consecutive weekends traveling

Desk with to-do projects

Filing system (picture an exaggeration)

Bathroom linen closet

New bedding from West Elm and Target

Desk and completed projects on wall

Bathroom linen closet

As January came to an end yesterday, a peace of mind was finally reached.  My home organization project reached its end and I can sincerely say that I feel more together.  A couple new art pieces added to the wall, storage compartments to contain some treasures (and documents from those where treasures are spent), and new bedding are just a few changes that were made.  Walking into my room today actually felt like I was walking into a space of my own.  Rather than a mess of my own.  I don't think there's any denying that when you surround yourself with things you love, then the same will surround you.  Which is the biggest thing you need to any start, or resolution.

Projects Included:

1. Clothing donation of unwanted items
2. Organizing of momentos, photos, stationary, crafts, and mucho important documents.  Organization tools bought at Bed Bath & Beyond
3. New bedding (old donated) from West Elm & Target
4. Organizing bathroom linen closet using old designer shopping bags
5. Closet tidying and luggage storage

Live Orderly

Sometimes it's just best to face facts.  I'm an old fashion gal living in a high tech digital world.  Trying to organize on a smart phone, is actually just not smart for me.  So I made a year long investment in Kate Spade and her organizing skills.  My life feels so much more in order already!  

Hanging Up

The best things to try and fix are those that aren't completely broken.  My first resolution of the year for 2012 is fairly simple:  cleaning up!  For much of my life I've been a pretty organized person, and still consider myself to be now.  With spending what are unfortunately just spare hours at home though, and still migrating belongings to Chicago, a lot has gone to the wayside.  So to better be aware of my surroundings and of what already belongs to me, it's high time to tidy the little messes.  Combing through the closet for unwanted items, filing away all those tiny papers, and finding homes for the knicks and knacks.  Consider it bedroom feng shui.  First thing's firs though:  finding the time to cleanse this little space!

{Image via Amateur Couture}

Where Ever the Wind Blows

Every New Years I make up a resolution, with the fairly confident knowledge that I will not follow through with it.  You could say I'm somewhat of a traditionalist.  Or maybe just a follower.  Randomly selecting goals to better make me out as an ambitious modern woman.  The thing is, save for a very few, I know next to no one who has followed through wholeheartedly with their New Year resolution.  It's a shame really.  The concept makes a whole lot of sense, and has the potential to do a great amount of good for one's self and others.

A couple years ago, I resolved to create a resolution every month.  Not all that surprisingly, it was a very half-hearted ambition.  An attempt to be novel.  Two years later though, I do have to give myself some credit.  It may have made the most amount of sense than any other airy obligatory shot in the dark I've made on January 1st.


So this is the year, 2012, I take a stand for the New Year.  I hereby vow to resolve a very basic, or perhaps here and there a not-so-basic, part of my life every month.  Because the reality is, we really don't know what life is going to through our way when.  One never knows when we're going to need our laughter or tears as our best weapon.  Some months I may need a new adventure.  It's possible others I'll need to learn some new tricks.  And I'm sure, just as anything else, I'll need a good cleanse once in awhile.  Mostly though I just know it's good to go into anything with some idea.

"Short term goals equals long term gains."

{Image via tinsel matrix}

And a Happy New Year!

And just like that it became 2011.  Where did the time go to?  Looking back at 2010 I have to give myself a pat on the back.  I learned, and even survived, the horrors of a gas bill.  Plans were shaken up by acts as mighty as a volcano, but I managed to adjust accordingly and see some interesting sights all the same.  Then there was the champagne bottle that broke the camel's back (and almost a toe or two as well), and as soon as you could say "windy" I found myself in the big bad city of Chicago.  

So many twists and turns can happen in a year, which is what makes a new one so exciting.

While I'm not huge on resolutions, I do enjoy a good theme (so long as they don't involve shoulder pads).  So while 2010 focused on packing up boxes, 2011 will have no room for such things(so it told me at least) and will be doing some recycling of them.  Without these cardboard obstructions there should be a little more room to...

                          Let go

                          Open up

                          Value time

                          Experience every opportunity

...what's already all around me.

Cheers to 2011!

{Image Credit:  Marmunia}