New Years Resolutions / Reminders

The turning of a New Year is a great chance to sit down and reflect. It's known as a time to start fresh and clean and make new renowned change in your life. I mentioned in a post earlier {link here} about how this year I want to focus on continuing the change started in 2014. I'm happy where I am right now however there are things that I need to remember moving forward. I finally got a chance to sit down today and really think about these little reminders and it turned out to be quite a hefty list. Here they are!

Relationships

Write more notes // Good stationary and happy thoughts can make anyone's day

More one-on-one dinners // Friends and food and good conversation

Acknowledge thankfulness // Don't take relationships for granted

Plan a roadtrip // Take advantage of friends and a full tank of gas

Blogging

Reach 1,000 followers on Instagram // Hopeful to see where my new insta account will go!

Have blog posts scheduled two days in advance // Less stress and earlier posts!

Work on more blogging relationships // Get connected to this great web community

Consistent Link-Ups // What's better than one blogger? Two!

Look into guest posting // Mixing it up is always welcomed!

Fashion

Invest in high quality neutrals // Grey, black and camel will never go out of style

Wear more hats // I like hat people. Let's be hat people.

Take more risks // Be who you want to be that day. No apologies.

Nail an all-black outfit // It's classic and chic. It doesn't have to be emo. 

Beauty

Face mask once a week // Treat your skin as well as you want to be treated. 

Don't skip washing your face // No excuses.

Discover drug store products // Make up is good. Cheap good make up is better.

Diet

Don't drink your calories // Cake > Coke

Drink four glasses of water a day // Starting with realistic goals
Think Green // Green is good!

Fitness

Morning stretches // Start each day fresh.

Work out daily // Keep up with daily worksheets. Your body will thank you.

Rediscover running // Some addictions can be a good thing.

Spending

Curb spending // Any more to say?

Start saving  // Milan ain't cheap. 

School

Visit professors 3 times a piece during the semester // Even if it's for one question. Go. 

4 hour Off-Days // Four hours of work between Friday & Saturday. Sunday will thank you

Read the news // Break out of the bubble. Come out from under the rock.

Unplug

Tech-free days // Step away from it all for 24 hours at least once a month.

Walk to class without looking at your phone // De-clutter your mind before class.

Read for fun // This doesn't just have to be a break privilege.

2015 Jar // Collect the little things throughout the year. 

I hope to come back to this periodically. It's important to revisit and revise these little reminders. What's on your list of New Years reminders?
Emily

Years that Question & Years that Answer

Well, happy 2015 everyone! It's crazy thinking that another new year is upon us. Usually I see the new year as a fresh start, a blank page and a place to start completely from scratch but this year I see that last digit change in the date a little differently. I truly was happy with how last year turned out. I had a lot of changes that I did not see coming and they all had a funny way of really working out. So today, and this year, I only want to continue on that path of change and see where these opportunities take me. This year, my New Years Resolutions are more of New Years Reminders and when I finalize my list I'll share them but for now I'm just focusing on enjoying this bright new day. 

I did want to take the time to share something that I stumbled across the other day. I saw this quote while I was on Pinterest (of course) but it really stuck with me. There are years that go along steadily and then there are years that push us out of our comfort zones and make us make changes. Both are good and both are needed. I definitely experienced the latter in 2014 and I'm excited for an answering year to see how the questions raised in this past year are really going to play out. 

In the meantime, I will continue to be stubborn with my goals. I will continue to work hard, be kind, stay humble and laugh often. I will continue to keep trying to make the most out of my everyday. And I will continue to believe that life has a funny way of always working out. 

Here's to an answering new year. What's your favorite new year quote?

Emily

A Year In Review: Oh the Places I Went in 2014

One of my favorite things to do is to open up my iPhoto and click on 12 months. It's always neat to see what I was doing exactly a year ago. Well, on January 1, 2014 I was on a plane and, honestly, it's only fitting that this year started off on a plane. I really feel like I went places in 2014. Not only did I have a year full of physical traveling but I also had a year of personal changes and life altering opportunities and I'm the proudest, most confident and most happy that I think I have ever been. So 2014, you were great to me and I can't wait to see what happens in 2015. I'm thankful for a day to look back on my 12 months of photos and remember all of the amazing things that this year had to offer. Here is my list of the 20 things that I learned, the memories that stuck out to me and the things that I'm truly appreciative of in 2014.

1. I started the year on a plane and shockingly learned that I actually like flying. Now airports are another story.

2. I learned that there will be people that come in and out of your life. And I learned that this is okay.

3. I realized that I truly picked the best school for me. And that, is a refreshing, humbling and glorious feeling.

4. I learned that I'm addicted to traveling. Seeing new places, new people, new cultures, new artwork and new adventures is something that I have to have. I'm lucky for the opportunity to travel and I can't wait to see where this itch takes me.

5. This was the year that I discovered Oreos. And there's no turning back now. 

6. I'll never forget the first moment stepping out into the Brussels streets. My first steps abroad will always stick with me. And that first sandwich will also always be the best. 

7. I learned how to run, and to keep running and to get up the next day and do it again. 

8. I added more black to my wardrobe and yes, I am proud of that. 

9. I took an Art History class and fell in love. Art will be a subject that I will always strive to continue educating myself in. 

10. I dropped to my knees when I learned that I'll be working in Milan this summer. I've never been more shocked, honored and unbelievably excited in one moment of my life. I didn't know it was possibly to cry so many happy tears. I'll always remember that moment. 

11. I can truly say I know how to study. It's good to know your strengths and your weaknesses and how to use these to learn the most you can. 

12. I've learned to evaluate my investments. It is important to me to recognize and evaluate my rate of return on my organizational involvements, business ventures, relationships and of course clothing. I blame my major but it requires due thanks. 

13. I've worked harder at getting to know my city. Grizz games, new restaurants and trolley nights. I've only got four years in this soulful city of Memphis and 2014 was the year I started making them count.

14. I've learned how to let it go. Some stress isn't worth it. Type A can take a rest every once in a while. 

15. I've learned that I'd rather spend $15 on a dinner out with a friend than a new shirt. Sometimes its okay to put your money where your mouth is.

16. I've learned my limits. Sometimes after a long day it's time to throw in the towel and drive to get a donut. The work will always get done. 

17. My friends and family have found my blog and (although at first I was pretty embarrassed) I'm excited for them to see a different side of me. Welcome aboard guys.

18. I've taken me-time. I know what makes me happy, what calms me down and what inspires me. Taking a few months to figure this out was something that I will be thankful for the rest of my life. 

19. I have selected a subject that I am truly passionate about. Marketing and business makes sense to me and the opportunities that have already opened up in this area only prove that it was the right decision. 

20. To end where this year really did start - Emily and Dot took off. A blog I started on a whim turned into a business venture and a personal place to reflect and share. Thank you to all of my followers. Every comment, Instagram like and page view really makes me proud. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone and everything that made 2014 so spectacular. Here's to hitting the ground running in 2015!
Emily