New Years Resolutions

Tonight is the end of another amazing year. I accomplished a lot, and I have a lot to be proud of. However, next year is going to be even more exciting. I will be graduating college, getting a real job and starting life on my own. I'm both excited and terrified for these major changes. 

As I ring in 2014 I took some time to think of some resolutions for the new year. Nothing too big or too complicated, just a few things that I think would make me...well, a better me! 

Eat Healthier and Exercise More | I always try to eat moderately healthy, but college definitely gives me the junk food blues. As I finish school and start "real life" I want to establish some good habits as far as eating and general health is concerned. Am I going to give up pizza and ice cream? Heck no! I just want to eat more fruits and veggies, eat out less, and enjoy natural health food too. I also want to drink more water. As far as exercise goes, I'm never going to like it but I do want to move around more even if its just taking my puppy for more walks. 

Read More Books | I love to read and I used to finish a book a week at least. Lately, I've been watching more TV and reading a lot less, not cool. So I want to reconnect with my inner book worm this year. 

Keep a Journal | I love to write down my thoughts, but I'm never very consistent about it. This year I want to start a journal and actually use it. 

Grow Up My Wardrobe While Staying True to My Style | As I leave school and enter the professional world, I am definitely going to need to grow up my wardrobe. However, I don't want to abandon my sense of style in the process because I know if I do I'll spend all day uncomfortable. I need to find a balance between professional and comfortable...plus I want to look good in the process! 

Get Creative | I am very much a doodler. This year I want to take that to the next level by actually spending time to create something. My wonderful boyfriend got me a watercolor set for Christmas and I am so excited to develop a completely new set of skills. This will be a challenge for me because I am such a perfectionist and art isn't about being perfect. 

Create a Space Just For Me | This is the resolution I am most excited about. A while ago I mentioned to my boyfriend that I love his house, but I felt like there was nowhere for me to make as girly as I wanted. So, he earmarked a spare bedroom just for me! I can do anything I want with it and decorate it however I want! Right now my vision is for a home office/reading room thats white with lots of pops of color! I'm so excited to really start designing it this year.

What are your resolutions this year?

2014 Simplified Planner

As the new year approaches many people are in search of a new planner. I am typically an academic planner kind of girl because I'm on a school schedule, but I have found the perfect planner and I had to share. Since I'm graduating college this year, I am seriously considering graduating to this big kid planner.

Without further ado, The Simplified Planner by Emily Ley. Its targeted towards women with families, but I really thinks its perfect for anyone.

First off, how cute is the cover? I love the stripes and the fun colors. Its also great that the corners are reinforced, my planners always get dogeared by the end of the year from too much love. 

Each day gets its own page with a column with times to write down all of your appointments, etc. A section for your "To Do" list. There are also small boxes for notes and whats for dinner. While I'm still in college the dinner box won't be used too frequently, but upon graduating I can definitely see it being a major asset. 

I love the idea of having my "To Do" list right in my planner, it typically gets sticky noted in which can get a little cluttered (which makes my skin crawl). 

One of my favorite features is the weekly prep section on Sunday. Its a great reminder to start your week of right. Ideally I like to use my weekends to do laundry, clean my room, and get ahead on homework because during the week I'd much rather hang out with friends and my residents than do stuff like that. Its not always the easiest to keep up with though, so having a little check list would be super. 

Check out the website for more pictures/a cute little video about the planner. Emily Ley is super inspiring...I mean making your own planner! What a lady! Plus she does everything with a toddler. I love to read her blog too. The only downside about this planner is it sold out so now you have to pre-order and you can expect it around Valentine's Day. 

I'm very seriously considering ordering one and just using my old planner until it gets here. If not, the next addition is on my wish list for Christmas next year! Is it too early to start a Christmas list for next year? 

Note: I'm not being compensated for this post, I'm seriously just a huge fan. All photography was done by Emily Ley. 

Essie Toggle to the Top

I have been obsessed with this polish since it first came out and I finally bought it last week at Target. I wanted to wait to put it on until right before Christmas, which was a major test of will power! Well it's finally on and it completely loves up to the hype! It's fabulous!

                                 

This isn't your usual glitter polish, it's regular polish with glitter in it. So, I didn't need to put another color underneath it which is great. Sometimes it's too much to fuss with base coat, base color, glitter,

then top coat! Whew! It also only took one coat of polish to be opaque, whereas I usually need two coats. 

The color is absolutely gorgeous. It's a dark red with red glitter. It has so much depth I've just been staring at my fingers all day! I really wish the picture could do the lovely color justice. 

P.S. The book in the picture is from my French copy of A Christmas Carol. I got it while I was in France last year. It's my favorite Christmas story and it always helps me remember the spirit of Christmas. 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE!!!

Hand Cream

I don't know about anyone else, but as soon as winter roles around my hands get super dry and cracked. I am constantly applying lotion to my hands in order to keep the winter blues at bay. Today I am going to share with you some of my favorite hand moisturizers. 

Neutrogena | I have used this hand cream my whole life. It works great and a little goes a long way. It soaks into your hands quickly and doesn't leave a greasy residue. Plus it has a great bang for your buck at about $5 a tube. 

L'Occitane | This is a fairly new addition to my lotion collection. It is an internet sensation as "the best hand cream ever." So, I obviously had to try it. Totally lives up to the hype. Does it work that much better than the Neutrogena? Meh, toss up. I do love that its natural, comes in a super cute tube, and smells nicer (in my opinion). I think its a nice item to splurge on and it makes a great gift, I got several people mini tubes for Christmas this year. 

Coconut Oil | I swear by coconut oil! My hands aren't the only dry part of me, my legs and arms get so dry they develop annoying bumps. Coconut oil is the only thing that helps. Every other body lotion I've tried seems to just sit on top and not really do anything but coconut oil really soaks in. I always have a jar of this stuff on my dresser and its a must have for winter. Body, hands and even hair! I have thick, dry hair so I apply coconut oil to my hair about 30 mins before a shower and then wash it out. It leaves my hair so soft and strong. I only do it once or twice a week to avoid greasiness. The only down side is it comes in a jar which is not ideal for throwing in your purse.

Holiday Parties

The week before Christmas is full of holiday parties which obviously means you need a fab outfit. I don't have any fancy parties planned for this year (all of my soirees will include jeans and sweaters, fine by me). But I love thinking about what I would wear if I had a glitzy event to attend.

I decided to go with a simple LND (little navy dress) with some festive red accessories.

I'm in love with this scalloped navy dress. Its pretty pricy, so you could definitely substitute any black or navy dress in your closet. Remember, the dress is just a canvas for the killer accessories! 

First find a fun statement necklace like this one from Bauble Bar. I like that its simple, I'm definitely not brave enough to wear some of this huge flamboyant necklaces. I think this one makes a statement without screaming it. I would probably go pretty simple with the rest of my jewelry (pearl studs anyone?) 

Don't forget your festive fingertips! Essie's Toggle to the Top is my favorite holiday shade this year. I just bought it at Target the other day, but I'm forcing myself to save it for next week. I'll report back when I try it on, but I imagine it will be a rave review. 

Last but not least the shoes. I am very seriously considering adding this Nina Culver pair to my closet, I mean the price is right. Plus I have a black pair of Nina heels and they are so comfy. I'm the biggest baby ever when it comes to shoes and I can wear them all night long with very little discomfort. 

Does anyone have any fun holiday plans for this week?