(Re) Chic

I've always been terrible at these, and like many other years they will probably last approximately a month and a half.  No matter how long they last I think its important to think about the year ahead and set some intentions in the hopes of moving forward in the coming 12 months.   1. Get Moving.  Josh and I are the proud parents of a very energetic five-year old fur baby.  Honestly, I let him do nearly all the walks and am therefore missing out on a lot of action that my body needs.  So its time to strap on the FitBit and get moving.   2. Write.  As part of focusing on my side hustle in 2017 I want to work on my blog as well.  I really enjoy showing off my work and this is just another avenue I can do that in, not to mention the catharsis of writing.   3. Save.  I'm terrible with money, I mean really horrible.  Costs are increasing dramatically and my raise is frankly not going to cover all the new expenses, so its time t...

I've had a blog since I was using dial-up in my parents basement and writing about my high school boyfriend.  But I've never made it a priority in my life to work at it, become a better writer and gain a following.   2016 made me feel like I have my personal life pretty together.  I got married, we bought a house, adopted a dog. So now seems like the perfect time to focus on another aspect of my life, my side hustle.  I started an Etsy shop, I have a space in a local shop but things haven't exactly been flying off the shelves.  So here is what I plan to bring you in 2017:  More step-by-steps of what I'm working on  More information-as I learn about things so will you  More goal setting (and hopefully goal reaching) All of these things that I plan to learn about and set goals to attain are coming to the blog, so look out for more planning and therefore achieving. 

I just wanted to say that its really getting real cause the bridesmaids dresses have arrived!  So wedding things are really happening! In other "getting real" news someone brought up "SMART" goals the other day and its occurred to me that I've been kinda a wimp about my goals so its time to get real about them.  For those of you that don't know SMART stands for "Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely" basically its saying that if your goals are not all of these things...you're never going to move toward them.  And then of course you need to work out the steps on how to get there.  So here goes, no more wishy-washy. Here are some SMART goals for my life, no more holding back.  1. Lose 20 pounds by our trip to Put-in-Bay S & M (LOL): 20 pounds A: I have gained more than that amount of weight in the past few months, so its not like I'm trying to reach an unattainable weight goal.  R:Trust me, after the "eat e...

Today I read a great article about investing in yourself.  And it really has reminded me that I need to get myself in gear.  His basic premise is that you should make a list of what you want to accomplish and create actionable steps to do it.  Then, you should look at it every day and find some way each day to work toward that goal.  Simple, yet genius.   You can read Jon Westenberg's article " How to Invest In Yourself " and maybe think about your own goals.  Either way, I'm going to work on my own list and see if there are things I can work toward in my own life.   Stay tuned for my own magical list of future life accomplishments.  

Unfortunately, I have been sadly neglecting most parts of my online life...especially this blog. The good news the main goal I had for the past few months is finally completed: moving in and officially being completely unpacked in my apartment.   So now its back to really creating goals and working to achieve them.   My main goal for March is job searching: now I've got my new Baby Mac (Josh got me an iBook G4 as a Vday gift because this guy was selling it on Craigslist for a super deal) I really need to buckle down and get busy.   My second goal is to get back to my blog...at least once a week.  This blog is too wonderful to be neglected!   So hold me to it...don't let me neglect you any longer! And of course we're trying to work on my 101 in 1001.  I can definitely see that I'm not going to complete the entire thing by September....but I think in part that's the point....it shows you how your life changes in such a short time.   Keep...

Instead of New Year's Resolutions I really want to work on my 101 in 1001 since I only have 9 months left to go!  So here's an update!   Jessica's 101 in 1001 Start: January 1st, 2011 End: September 28th, 2013 Personal 1. Keep a written journal (regularly) 2. Blog at least once a week for a month (hopefully forever) Completed my Wordcount Blog-a-thon challenge! 3. Write personal (and professional) goals for each month and work to achieve them (22/33) I kind of skipped out on this in November & December 2011-but I feel like getting a new job, moving and getting permanently hired on count enough! 4. Change my bathroom inspiration quotes once a week (for at least a month)   5. Write something positive about my day every night for at least two weeks 6. Make a meal out of all local ingredients 7. Spend an hour of "me-time" a week that does not involve TV 8. Take a self defense class 9. Go to a Bible study (must try for at least a month) 10. Watch a sunrise  11. ...

So my poor blog was completely neglected so I'm sure you noticed that I did NOT post every week like I wanted. I also didn't do the reading that I had wanted.  But I DID pick up my knitting. My huge dream goal would be to finish my knitting project by Christmas to give it as a gift...but I've been having a little difficulty with that since my cat thinks its fun to attack it...so we'll have to work on that.  I also got a new job-sort of-I have been working at another call center for Christmas money, but I really want to find something where I can focus on my marketing skills, so we'll see how that pans out.   I also finished a really cute craft project, but not my t-shirt quilt.  I promise to write a blog about the ADORABLE gift that I made for Lily for her birthday.   But let's not focus on last month...let's look forward!  Here's what I'm hoping to do in December.  1. Dream goal: to finish my scarf that I'm knitting to give it as...

I am once again not please with the results of my monthly goals.  It looks like I'm at less than 30%!  That's not good!  1. Work out at the gym...it WILL happen someday. -Not only did it not happen it looks like I will have to find another way to work out because I will not be getting access to the DSW gym any longer.  2. Get 500 followers on  Twitter ...I'm SOOO close   SUCCESS!!! 3. Complete my latest craft project -Also complete, but I'm not sure I'm happy with it.   4. Clear out my garden plot -Done, the only thing left is a cabbage plant since they don't mind the cold.   5. Set-up an online photography portfolio (I have a Flickr; does anyone have any recommendations they like better?) -I didn't work on this...did anyone have any feedback on whether they would pick something over Flickr? 6. Continue blogging at least once/week -I missed the 3rd week of October, but other than that I did pretty good.   7. Pick my kni...

Finally hit 500 Followers! So excited!

I was pretty disappointed in myself with the state of my September goals. So let's see if we can't work a little harder this month. 1. Work out at the gym...it WILL happen someday.  2. Get 500 followers on Twitter ...I'm SOOO close 3. Complete my latest craft project 4. Clear out my garden plot  5. Set-up an online photography portfolio (I have a Flickr; does anyone have any recommendations they like better?) 6. Continue blogging at least once/week 7. Pick my knitting back up 8. Finish 2 books 9. Work on my translations 10. Watch at least one movie from my AFI list.   Wish me luck.  Looks like I'm going to be keeping busy!  

I'm not very proud of myself this month. I feel pretty wimpy when it comes to the goal achieving. 1. Go to the gym AND work out -I did not do this...I'm defending myself by saying that I was sick for most of the month.   2. Start practicing my translations again (special thanks to Josh for getting me a bunch of great books in French for our anniversary) -I have no defense *hangs head in shame* 3. Finish 2 books (one self-help book and one for pleasure) -I read "V for Vendetta" which I'm not sure counts because its more of a graphic novel and I STARTED a self-help book and ordered myself one.   4. Reach 500 followers on Twitter -still not there :( But we're working on it.   5.  Blog once/week -My one success... Hopefully we can do better in October. 

Now that we've got August out of the way. Let's get back down to business and get some goals reached! 1. Go to the gym AND work out (this seems silly...but given the last time I felt it needed to be said) 2. Start practicing my translations again (special thanks to Josh for getting me a bunch of great books in French for our anniversary) 3. Finish 2 books (one self-help book and one for pleasure) 4. Reach 500 followers on Twitter...I WILL get there!  5.  Blog once/week Happy Holiday Weekend! 

I really have no excuse for my lack of posting...I mean I'm a busy person but I miss doing this all the time so much...I vow to be better! Here's the re-cap of this month's goals: 1. Go to the gym (I will do this someday!) -Funny story...I went to the gym, stripped in the locker room, only to discover I didn't have shorts with me...FAIL   2. Read (or at least start depending on how bad it is)  50 Shades of Grey.   Completed!  It  really is more of a romance novel that the BDSM-ness that I expected.  But I read all 3...and now I'm halfway through Pride and Prejudice!  3. Get my professional manicure -CHECK!  I cashed in my groupon and got it last week (and my nails are already so chipped they need repainted...no wonder its addicting!) 4. Reach my 500 Twitter followers goal (I'm so close!) -I'm still 50 away!  Why is this so hard!? 5. Rearrange the spare bedroom- I started this but its not really completed.  I moved the be...

Jessica's 101 in 1001 Start: January 1st, 2011 End: September 28th, 2013 Personal 1. Keep a written journal (regularly) 2. Blog at least once a week for a month (hopefully forever) Completed my Wordcount Blog-a-thon challenge! 3. Write personal (and professional) goals for each month and work to achieve them (19/33) I kind of skipped out on this in November & December 2011-but I feel like getting a new job, moving and getting permanently hired on count enough! 4. Change my bathroom inspiration quotes once a week (for at least a month)   5. Write something positive about my day every night for at least two weeks 6. Make a meal out of all local ingredients 7. Spend an hour of "me-time" a week that does not involve TV 8. Take a self defense class 9. Go to a Bible study (must try for at least a month) 10. Watch a sunrise  11. Watch a sunset 12. Sell a piece of art I've created 13. Buy something for myself worth more than $100 without feeling guilty about it The dres...

1. Go to the gym (I will do this someday!) 2. Read (or at least start depending on how bad it is)  50 Shades of Grey.   I picked it up from the library today! 3. Get my professional manicure 4. Reach my 500 Twitter followers goal (I'm so close!) 5. Rearrange the spare bedroom  As you can see I'm really trying to focus on my 101 in 1001 .  I feel like I've neglected it.  So I'm trying to get a move on!  I have just over a year left! 

Here's a wrap-up of how I did with my July goals:  1. Cross off one thing in 101 in 1001...CHECK! I drank my whole DSW water bottle (that's 32 oz) per day for a week straight...since I accidentally melted my VISTA one :-( 2. Go to the gym!!...Some day I'm going to remind myself where that gym is. 3. Rearrange spare bedroom into craft room...This has NOT happened yet.  I haven't even cleared off the table that I want to put up there that's still in my dining room yet! 4. Survive Josh taking the Bar...CHECK!   This really was the one I was most worried about...so the fact that we both survived is FANTASTIC!  We celebrated with a weekend of hanging out with friends, drive-in, and mostly just spending time that did not involve him studying.  Now all we need to do is get him a law job!  

I am aware that it is already July 10th but better late than never to get started on monthly goals! 1. Cross off one thing in 101 in 1001 (not including the things I did with Megan last weekend!) 2. Go to the gym!! 3. Rearrange spare bedroom into craft room 4. Survive Josh taking the Bar (this is the one I'm most worried about) In other news I am suddenly a very busy woman!  I have two meetings this week, am driving to Cinci to have dinner with some college friends Wednesday night not to mention having back-to-back plans on Saturday!  How do all these things sneak up on me all of a sudden?!

I was checking out my 101 in 1001 the other day and I realized that I never created my "Books to Read" list like I had mentioned. I had one on my previous blog but it never got updated to this one so here is the list as it currently stands that are in need of reading whether they've been read before or not: 1. "Song of Ice & Fire" Series by George R.R.  Martin Book 1: A Game of Thrones Book 2: A Clash of Kings Book 3: A Storm of Swords Book 4: A Feast of Crows Book 5: A Dance with Dragons Book 6: The Winds of Winter Book 7: A Dream of Spring 2. Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James 3. Every Novel by Jane Austen Sense and Sensibility Pride and Prejudice Mansfield Park Emma Northanger Abbey Persuasion 4. Dante's The Divine Comedy 5. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte 6. L'Etranger by Albert Camus 7. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens 8. Homer's Iliad & Odyssey 9. Nineteen-Eighty four by George Orwell 10. The Catcher in the Rye ...

Clearly I spoke too soon with my May goals, as soon as I wrote about how well I was doing blogging nearly everyday...I stopped. So I think this month I'll try not to count my goals until the end of the month, lol. 1. Find new bank (long store short I became very unhappy after I tried to clear up a problem with my current bank and they just tried to sign me up for a credit card instead...so suggestions are welcome) 2. Go to the gym 3 times...I swear I'm going to find where the company gym is again! 3. Finish putting away winter clothes-this has been a slow and tedious process...I need to just do it so I can stop having a whole year's worth of clothes strewn about my bedroom floor. 4. Blog Once/week. Anyone else have any goals they think I should tackle, another one on my back burner is to start working more on my 101 in 1001 things that I haven't really been focusing on...its been sad and lonely lately!

May goals:  1. The KIND Project-one kindness everyday.  2. Word Count Blog-a-thon 3. Plant seedlings in garden plot 4. Take the "pump" test at work to get upgraded to CSR Level 2 Recap:  1. I think so far I've done pretty well.  I don't think I've written about a KIND-ness everyday but I feel like I've been making a point to do things for people and make the world a better place, so we're going to call that a win.   2. I have not blogged everyday, but considering how much is going on, I think only missing a few days is pretty impressive, I really only forgot one day, the other days I just didn't have access to blog-ness 3. I finished the last of my planting yesterday...hopefully my garden yields lots of deliciousness! 4. I took the pump test about two weeks ago and I should have the results hopefully tomorrow!