instagram and life lately

From left to right, by row:
1) Lush 'So White' bath bomb. I received this for Christmas, and really liked it. I was told by the SA to throw it in the tub/break it open, which I did, but I don't think it really added to the experience. I liked the scent, but not enough to make me want to repurchase. I continue my search for the perfect bath bomb!

2) Just a picture of me- I've been really into maiden braids the past few weeks. I have somewhat long hair, and this has been a really fun way to style it. I'll usually make 2 braids on each side and flip over. Pinterest hair pins are converting me!

3) Random sky shot on the way into work last week.

4) Lush Cosmetic Warrior fresh face mask. I picked this up the last time I was at Lush. I really liked it, but I don't think I used it thickly enough until I was nearing the end of the tub haha. I really loved this mask, and noticed a huge difference after I used it. I think I would prefer a more exfoliating mask. Next time!

5) Petra bein' cute. Aaaaaaw~

6) Mine and Jack's name cards from Christmas dinner. :) I feel very lucky to have had Jack's family welcome me this holiday season.

7) A picture I took looking out the window at work!

8) The best coffee. How did I live without thee? I went to get gas at a station which had a Green Mountain Coffee sign at the window, but the coffee side was all closed down. It was a sad spot on a nice Saturday morning.

9) Neat tap handle over at the Manchester British Beer Company! We really like their food- and their wide selection of beer. I thought it was fantastic that they actually put real blueberries in my already blueberry beery. 

Jack and I are watching The West Wing! When I saw it on Netflix I knew it was destiny- I will finally have a buddy to watch this show with me! So great.

I think  I am holding well with my resolutions so far. I wrote them on a nice sheet of paper, framed it, and put it on top of my dresser so I'll notice it at least once every day.

New Years Resolutions

I decided to give a lot more thought this year to my resolutions. I've been reading a lot of others resolutions in trying to figure out how to frame mine- I want them to be definite, not vague. There doesn't have to be a goal, but I want to know how I will complete it. I want my resolutions to build up around how I want my life to be, and how I want the best possible version of myself to live. In no particular order, my New Years Resolutions are:

• Only buy non-necessities one day a week. I am a HUGE feelings-shopper. I very easily over reach with online shopping, and it has been a big problem in the past. It isn't now, but I feel it creeping back sometimes. My amazon wishlist is growing by the day! I would like to get to the point where other than non-necessities, I only do real or online shopping on one day each week. This way I'll be able to give a lot more thought to my purchases. Obviously, there will be times this is not feasible (as there is with everything) but I think this mindset will help me to be a more thoughtful shopper.
• Be able to do the splits by my birthday. Or at least determine that it isn't physically possible. I told myself I was unflexible so much throughout my life, mainly from my inability to touch my toes. But that changed this year! I got really into yoga and now I am way more flexible than I used to be. I have always admired gymnasts and ballerinas, and while I don't think I will be doing this any time soon, I hope to get the front splits in my flexibility repertoire. More yoga is the answer here. :)
• Write more. I saw this first over on Antiquarian Miss, and I am using it! Since moving, I have started writing a ton. I journal, I blog, I write little notes on pictures... Because this is something I have never done before, I need to make an effort to stick with it. To do this I will make sure I always have something accessible for me jot down what I want to remember. It's helped a lot to just keep my journal places I'm at normally, and I think using the journal jar I talked about in my last entry will also help me with this resolution. 
• Photograph more. I want to determine my style, I want to take more pictures of people, tell more of a story. Learn actual direction. I have written down in my 101 things to do in 1001 days that I want to take a photography course... I really like e-courses, and I think I will look for one focusing on lifestyle photography. I have started carrying my big camera everywhere with me so that I can start thinking of what I look at differently, and remind myself that if I want to remember something, I can! I hope to archive my photos well so that years from now Jack and I will be able to look back with our kids or something and say 'this is when Mom first moved in!' 
• Be healthier. Healthier in body, and spirit. Do, rather than say. Create more. During my relax period at the end of my practice a few weeks ago I got into my mind I want to fill my life with more inspirational energies- more clarity and brightness that is less from the consumer grind and more based on what I will truly value, and what helps me build myself into well, me. Simple things, like moving away from fast fashion, or leaving objects around that will guide and inspire my own personal course is how I hope to achieve this. 
• Read 30 books. This is pretty simple.. I've also started listening to Audiobooks! I just finished Divergent by Veronica Roth, read by Emma Galvin and loved it. I am listening to the Maze Runner now, and not nearly as interested. But I will continue! Audible is also having a really great $7.95 sale right now I'm sure I will dive into. And wait until my purchasing day to get something!

A subset to all of these - Prepare yourself to succeed. Saying you want to do something does not mean it will be done. Put time in your day for it. If you want to learn a new language? Plan to spend 3 hours throughout the week, actually schedule them, and sit down. Be one step ahead of your own procrastination. For me this making sure I carry my camera with me, keeping a packed gym bag in the car, filling the fridge with healthier snacks.... Surround yourself with the tools you need to accomplish your goal. I was reading Tara Stile's Slim Sexy Yoga which I got as a Christmas gift, and she mentioned she leaves a yoga mat out at all times to inspire her, and be able to practice with minimal effort. 

Make what you want readily available, and achievable. 

We'll see how this year goes, and I might add more to this list. I plan on putting it up in a pretty font so I can print it and put it into a frame next to my bed- constant reminders of what I want to do help a lot as well! :)