Goals for 2013!

• Take Sewing Machine in for Maintenance / Get a new one?

I love my machine and it's been great, but it's not sewing through thick layers very well anymore and I know I need to take it in or get a new one. I haven't been able to make very much without getting frustrating or screwing up a project. This is definitely a priority for the beginning of the year!

• Make-over the Sewing Room / Organize / New furniture

This is another important step to make, I desperately need storage, shelves and a better work space in my sewing room. I think I can accomplish my dream sewing room a little bit at a time by the end of the year!

• Sew regularly / Start Etsy Shop

This is a given after the two first goals. By the end of 2013 my Etsy Shop should be open, no more screwing around!

• Crochet a lot more / Keep Learning

I think I definitely have a knack for crochet, not to mention I greatly enjoy doing it. It's hard for me to stick to something when a project takes longer than a day. I need to get over that and keep doing it!

• Stick to Weight Watchers

I did great in 2011, lost a bunch of weight, felt great about myself, slept better and over all felt healthier. My junky food addiction and laziness has to stop. I'm back to counting my points on weight watchers and I'm going to stick to it this time!

• Exercise / Get Back into Jogging and Skateboarding

This goes hand in hand with eating healthier and counting points. I was getting really into jogging and feeling better than ever, skateboarding was so much fun to do with Cody and I was really liking it. It's been months and I plan to get back into it!

• Try a New Healthy Recipe Each Month

Last night I made a new healthy recipe and I have one on the stove cooking now. I always love cooking but I'm getting bored with the same ole meals each week. Each month I want to try something new, and maybe even make a post about it!

• Organize printed out recipes and keep them that way!

Do you ever print out recipes and set them aside and never make them? Or maybe you do and then the paper gets stains on it through out cooking...I hate that! I have tons of set aside recipes, I want to make a binder with page protectors, nice and organized and in categories and keep them that way!

• Practice Driving / Have License by the End of the Year

Okay... Last year I said I was going to do this, obviously I did not. This is ridiculous, I'm 27 years old and more than ready to get my ass around on my own. Time to set the anxiety aside and do this. It's comforting that Kaylah has the same goal this year, We're going to do this girl!

• Blog More Often

I'm not going to continue to apologize for "oh it's been so long since I've made a post so here are some Instagram photos!" I love blogging and I'm just lazy. I do plan to blog more this year, which brings us to the next goal...

• Review Birchbox : EACH Month ALL Year

 Yes, I need to do this, I rave about my birch boxes and it was fun reviewing it and I'm going to stick to it this year

• Be More Responsible / Save $$$

This one is pretty much self explanatory. I enjoy shopping, even though I thrift and shop clearance racks only, those two dollar items add up. Time to budget each month.

So there you have it, my goals for this year. I feel confident about pretty much all of them. What are your goals for this year? Do we have any common?

xomando

Instalove Recap 4

The holidays are a busy time for me, lots of family activities and getting prepared. Unfortunately when I am not busy, I am enjoying being lazy, and that's all been too natural as of late. So here is what has been going on in my world, instagram style!

My pretty outfit of the day, I love my tattoo peaking through some neat tights. I absolutely adore my brooch from the great Etsy shop: Friendly Gesture.

I had a couple of weeks of health problems, I think everything is okay now. I've been enjoying some tea with positive and uplifting messages.

Redge is big on giving kisses, and they usually come with nibbles...

The fall leaves were too beautiful in our neighborhood (for a short period of time) I went for a nice walk and collected some leaves for pressing (totally getting into that, thanks to Kaylah!)

Making attractive faces with my sister in law, nephew and sister at lunch - such good times.

Captured some cute water drinking of my elusive angel Fiona.

Went to extreme measures to capture the details of this day's outfit. Saddle oxfords and a vintage brooch <3

My *future* Mother in Law has the most wonderful collection of plants and green glass in her kitchen window. I love how she re-arranges them and stacks things on top of each other.

Our Christmas party for work was at a fancy restaurant called Nobu. So delicious and it's fun to get all dolled up!

 Went to see Bomb The Music Industry! for the first time ever, and probably the last as they say this is their last tour :( I was so glad I got to see them, I still can't stop listening to them after that amazing show.

I also can't stop wearing my very cozy sweatshirt I got at the show :)

The Christmas edition Birchbox was killer! I LOVE the lipgloss that came with it and I regret not sticking to my Birchbox reviews...

Fell in love with this outfit! Thrifted shirt, Modcloth skirt, Booties from Target and I think I had my hair a little fancy that day too.

My mom and I went to The Nutcracker Ballet, we have never been to one before and we LOVED IT!

Made some Christmas snow globes, I had a lot of fun with these, I loved using the vintage deer I found at a thrift store!

I made some salt dough ornaments for the first time ever, and by some I mean a whole bunch! They were for a Christmas crafts party we had for the kiddos, I think there are still some left not decorated!

I learned how to curl my hair with a flat iron, they held up so well! I was pretty excited!

The first time we got a "flocked" tree. I can't believe we have never had a snowy white tree before, we are in love! Mom insisted on a red and gold theme. Luckily we have a nice collection, here is an old ornament we have had forever, a hand-painted one and a new one from The Nutcracker!

I got my mom a Nutcracker that she just adores. We have had that little candy village for as long as I can remember, and I made some snow flake skirted Ballerinas!

And last, these touch screen compatible gloves I got at Target are so awesome! I suggest picking up a pair!

Okay there you have it. See? I've been a busy girl...There's too many great instagram photos I didn't share here. You can follow me at @mandophoto.

I'm thinking about doing a 2013 Goals post! Stay tuned!

   xomando