Friday, December 31, 2010

2011 Goals

I've decided to call them goals.  Resolutions have a negative connotation and I want only positivity around me.  Nonetheless, I feel it is important to set up some goals this year.  I have my 30 under 30 list and I am making great strides to completing many of the goals.  As time goes by, some of items will likely be completed later.  It just fits in my life better if they are completed later.  So, my 30 Under 30 is fluid.  :-)


On to 2011!  


Number 1.  Get up and get moving.  Yes, it was on my list last year and I failed, but I will succeed.  I will.  I got a beautiful bike for my last birthday:


Isn't is adorable?  I absolutely love it.  Well, I figure if I take this out every couple weeks from spring through fall and take the stairs in my building (10 floors), that should get me a long way to getting up and moving.  I may throw in a few 10 minute trainers:





I really do like Tony Horton, even though he is annoying.  He's motivating and it works.  


On to Number 2.  I will get organized.  Some of this:




A little of this:



What I really need is a routine and set-up that facilitates organization.  I'll have to figure that out.

Number 3.  Remember the following:

And remember that vulnerability is a good thing.  I have a great boyfriend and a great relationship.  I want to learn to let go a little and just enjoy where we are together.  On the same note, continue to confront the past.  That is one long process.  Forever long.  For the next 3 years, I will have the same goal.  But, I'm making progress and getting through it.  I believe that's cause for:


Number 4.  I have succeeded in having only positive people around me, which turned out to be such a painful process.  I want only the ones that care about me and not what I can do for them to remain a part of my life.  And, I would like to add one or two more people close to me (proximity wise) that fit into that category.   I'd like to keep in better contact with the people that live far away.  Once a year just isn't enough!

And last, but not least:



TRAVEL!!!  But, not in the above airplane. 



Looking forward to 2011


I hope everyone rings in the New Year in style and with great people!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

I drive a Chanel car

Here's my logic:

My car:

And:


Official Endorsement:





Ergo: I drive a Chanel car.  My reasoning is flawless and I see no reason for debate.  Period.  :-)

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Craving...

Egg Salad Sandwiches
makes 4 sandwiches
8 hard boiled eggs, peeled and cut in half
heaping 1/4 cup mayonnaise
heaping teaspoon whole grain mustard
1 teaspoon finely chopped tarragon
2 teaspoons chopped flat leaf parsley
2 tablespoons finely diced shallots
2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
bread

Making egg salad is super easy.  Once the eggs are hard boiled and peeled, and the herbs and shallots are chopped, dump everything into a medium bowl.  Use a fork to break up the egg whites and yolks and incorporate all of the ingredients.  Add more mayonnaise if you’d like it more creamy.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Spoon onto good bread and enjoy.  Store egg salad in the fridge for up to 4 days.


Monday, December 27, 2010

Goodness, Truth, Beauty

Can't remember where I found it.  Probably one of the blogs on my blog-roll. 

Sunday, December 19, 2010

2010 New Year's Resolutions

I posted a list of resolutions at the end of December in this post.  Did I keep them?  Let's take a look:

  1. Find a career that makes me excited to get up every morning;
  2. confront and accept the things that happened in the past;
  3. recognize and cultivate the healthy relationships in my life;
  4. cook a great meal at least once every two weeks;
  5. get up and get moving; and
  6. face the scary stuff.


Number one:  I found a career that I will love, it's just going to take me a long time to get there.  I say yes, I did keep this one.

Number two and six: I have been working very hard on dealing with the past.  It's hard and takes a lot of twists and turns, but I'm doing it.  It's still a work in progress.  But, I still say yes, I've been doing this.

Number three:  No ifs, ands or buts about it, I have accomplished this goal.  And it feels absolutely fantastic.  Not being friends with people just to be nice is very relaxing.  If I like you and I want to spend time with you, I do.  If not, I don't.  I don't have to pretend with the people in my life.  It's all natural. 

Number four:  They may not have been great, but I have been more experimental in my cooking and I'm very happy with the results.  So, yay!  Go me!

Number five:  I failed miserably at this one.  There is always next year, right?

Now, I wonder what should be my 2011 resolutions? 

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Guess what?

I've had over a thousand hits on my blog.  How cool is that?  Big shout out (yes, shout out), to the following countries:  Canada, South Korea, Brazil, UK, Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan, Spain and Portugal.  I have readers in South Korea.  That is awesome.  Feel free to add me to your blog roll, Google reader, and any other blog content delivery thingies  :o)  And, I would be happy to add some of you to mine if you leave me your blog info in a comment.  I'm all for sharing....except with food.  Not so good with the sharing of food.  




In honor of reaching 1000 hits, I will remember to post at least 4 times a week, or offer a valid explanation why not, follow through on my published future plans, and find completely awesome things to post about (most of the time).  Girl needs a creative break every now and then, right?




Just to give you a little indication of the possibilities over the next year, feast your eyes on these puzzle pieces:








2011 is going to be filled with lovely, new experiences.  I am so excited for the next year of my life and I cannot wait to share the  high points along the way. 

P.S. I heart Spain and I just found out I'm of German and Swedish descent, so hello.  Nice to have you in my tee-tiny corner of the Internet.

Monique, you've stolen my heart

Monique Lhuillier is hit or miss with her collections.  The pre-fall 2011 collection is definitely a hit and it has stolen my heart.  At least for the pre-fall season.

And, for my personal favorite:


Tuesday, December 14, 2010

I want....

this dress:


If you know where it came from, please let me know.  I can't find the designer anywhere.  

Friday, December 10, 2010

DIY: a tiny gingerbread house that perches on the edge of your mug.

I love searching the web for awesome DIY projects.  I must have a hundred projects saved in my Bento box.  But, every once in a while, I'll run across something that is absolutely brilliant.  Today, we have one of those items. 



Aren't they amazing?  Maybe I just think they're amazing because it took me about four hours to put this together:

Pitiful, right?  Gingerbread houses are an art.  They are difficult and I'm happy that I at least finished one, even if all the pieces came from a box. 

Over at Not Martha, who could definitely be Martha, you can read the full instructions on how to DIY your own tiny gingerbread house that perches on the edge of your mug.  She even got spunky and added a chimney to some:


One day, I will be brave enough to try another gingerbread house.  Maybe I'll even get spunky and make these tee-tiny versions for my next Christmas party.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Blur

Sometimes we focus too much on the future and life starts to whiz by in a blur.  Today, stop and appreciate the life you have now, good or bad, for it is all you are guaranteed.  

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Monday, December 6, 2010

Chronicle Books


Chronicle Books is hosting a giveaway!

1. make a list of chronicle books valued at up to $500 that you love and would like to win
2. post the list to your blog and you'll be entered to win your list of books!  BETTER NEWS:  one of your readers who comments on the post will also win your list of books too! 

See rules here.

Here's my list: 

$40
$19.95


$14.95


$24.95


$16.95
$35


$14.95


$16.95


$24.95


$16.95


$27.50



$12.95


$14.95


$35



$18.95


$14.95


$19.95


$35

$12

$12


$18.95


$40


10.95

Total:  $498.75

All of the books I chose (and you can choose) can be found at Chronicle Books. And, if you want an opportunity to win my books (should I win), leave a comment!!