strengths

I'm really not one to talk about myself in a "braggy" way. It makes me really uncomfortable actually. It's much easier to pick out my flaws than what I'm good at. Isn't that kind of sad? Why are people like that? I know I'm not the only one with confidence issues or simply hate this kind of question, but seriously, why do we constantly pick ourselves apart and why does it come so damn easily?  I can make a list of 100 things that I don't like about myself but when I'm asked what I like about myself or what I'm good at, I freeze.  Maybe I'm afraid of seeming "cocky," which isn't me at all, or I'm just afraid that even with telling someone what I'm good at still won't be good enough for them. I just don't know.

But, enough avoiding the task at hand. Things I'm good at would definitely include being artistic.  I really love that I'm good at artsy fartsy stuff. Every single one of my hobbies include the arts in some way.  I'm also a perfectionist when it comes to my art, or anything I do really, which is sometimes a bad thing because I'm usually not completely satisfied with my work.  But with being a perfectionist, you know I'll work my ass off to get everything just right before presenting it.  My work is never sloppy and it's very rare that I just give up.  I'm pretty determined and disciplined that way, which is a pretty good thing.

What are you good at?

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This post is part of Toni's New Year Project (button in sidebar! ->)  JOIN US!
Today's prompt is: What are your strengths? What are the things you're good at?

xo

Obstacles

Day 2 of Toni's New Year Project asks us to share possible obstacles to your resolutions and how will you overcome them?

A year ago this resolution would've seemed next to impossible, but I'm much more confident in it this year.  Of course there will be many obstacles, there usually are with any resolution, but I believe with a little bit of confidence, surrounding myself with people and things I love and remembering that everything happens for a reason, I can stick with this resolution. 

This photo was taken in Cranberry Lake, NY

I've had an entire year to practice gratitude and play with different ways in which I find my own happiness. If I'm feeling down, overwhelmed or angry I'll take a moment to step back, evaluate the situation, breathe, think of reasons why this has happened and why it'll make me stronger in the end.  If the situation calls for more back up, I might listen to a playlist of my favorite songs, watch a feel-good movie, paint or draw, do some yoga, go for a run, or text a friend.  And if all else fails, take a nap. They're miracle workers, I swear. 

How will you make sure your resolutions are achieved?

xo

2014 Resolutions

Hi friends! Happy New Year! 

I hope your holidays were full of family and friends, love, laughter, joy and cheer.

Mine certainly were.

I've been a little MIA lately due to the holidays but I decided to jump right back into writing with Toni's New Year Project.  It's an awesome little challenge throughout the whole month of January (excluding weekends...score!) that, in Toni's words, "helps us in setting goals for ourselves, injecting more happiness into our lives, and learning to appreciate ourselves more."  This sounds like the most perfect blog challenge to start off the year on the right foot! Don't you think?

The first day of the New Year's prompt is what are your resolutions this year?

Well, after 2013's half crossed off list of goals I've decided to keep my resolutions sweet and simple this year.  My main resolution is to simply be happy and grateful. 
And to accept my life exactly the way God has given it to me, for good and bad. 

It sounds pretty simple, but trust me, it can be very challenging.  Especially when you're feeling down on your luck and nothing seems to be going the way you want it to. I spent the entire year of 2013 writing in a Gratitude Journal app on my phone. It is the simplest, most rewarding thing I've probably ever decided to do (post coming soon).  I can honestly say that I've become a much happier and positive person by being grateful and thanking God every day for everything he's given me. So with this New Year, I plan to extend my gratitude even further. I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store.

Be grateful and 

Happy resolution making, friends!

xo

Let's review, shall we?

Alright, so in a few short hours it's going to be 2014 already. Not exactly sure where 2013 even went but I think it was the best year yet, apart from a few devastating loses in my heart. Looking back I'm overall very happy with what's come of my life as of late.  I have a wonderful large group of friends, a family that loves me more than anything and Bruno Alejandro who I can't live without and hopefully a future down south (?). I'm happy. I'm grateful. I'm blessed. Can't ask for too much more than that. 

Alright, so let's review my year.

First, let's check out my, mostly failed, 2013 goals...

Be positive - I think I did pretty damn good on this one!

Start a blog & stick with it - A year later and I'm still here!

Eat healthy, be healthy, stay healthy - every day struggle. I haven't gained any weight so that's good, right?

Read 15 new books   Surpassed my goal by a mile! check 'em out here!

Send more snail mail damnit.

Save enough money to get an apartment  I was really dreaming with that one... #broke

Try 10 new crafts - I made maybe 5 or 6 new crafts...damnit.

Try 10 new recipes - I got about 3...damnit.

Love with all your heart, every single day! 

Listen to music everyday 

See more live music - I went to quite a lot of awesome concerts and shows this year.

Go tent camping! - damnit.

Find a teaching job - damnit all to heck. Still working on Florida!

Get rid of things you don't wear/ need - I did get rid of a big bag of clothes. It's still not enough though...

Get organized and stay organized - major fail. every day I'm strugglin' 

Do a random act of kindness each month - So gratifying. I did a big RAOK almost every month.

Clean the woods behind Mom and Dad's house - I started to but it's going to be very challenging to finish. There's soooo much crap back there. Redonk. 

Run a 5K! - Read about it here!

And here's some a lot of my favorite posts from 2013 in no particular order...

Florida, Florida and Findley Lake

Letchworth State Park, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE CONCERT, Shine On award!

Apple Picking, The Color Run, A rainy camping weekend

A garden walk (part one), A Bruno overload, Garden walk (part two)

A few of my favorite things, A gorgeous Spring moment, Professing my love to my besties

100 Days of Gratitude, Murder Mystery Party, Birthday Shenanigans

Cape Cod parts 1, 2 and 3

Book store adventures, favorite tart recipe, Horses

Night Lights at the Botanical Gardens, Betty, DIY Repurposed Window Frame

Said goodbye to the most handsome, entertaining and strongest man I will ever know.

Okay, that was a ton of favorites...HA, told ya it was a great year :)

What was your favorite part of 2013?

Happy 2014, friends!

xo

What makes me smile...Holiday edition pt. 2

These bottle brush trees that I need, like, yesterday.

Free Printable: Paper Snowflakes

What this Couple Built in Their Snowy Backyard Made me Insanely Jealous.

DIY Recycled Holiday Card Ornaments!

I hope all my friends are ready for these as Christmas presents.

11 Clever Christmas Card Envelopes

_______________Link Love_______________

Christmas Carol Ambush with Amy Poehler | HILARIOUS! WATCH IT NOW!

Round Up: Free Printable Gift Tags | So cute!

Whitney's Snow Protocol

32 Reasons Why Christmas was Better in the 90's

11 Holiday-Themed Manicures You'll Want to Try Right Now 

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Happy Holidays!
xo

I'm a lazy bum

I'm kind of losing my motivation and drive for this whole blog thing lately. I've been crazy busy, and even more stressed and with Christmas quickly approaching I just don't have time to blog/don't really care to do it. Rabble. Hoping I get out of this funk super soooooon. 

A quick catch-up of what's been going down in my life...

November was a pretty killer month. I got to take a vacation to Florida (here and here....I have more pictures to share, but again, laziness. It'll happen eventually).  I spent an epic weekend in Columbus with my best friends and saw Justin Timberlake up close and personal. I, of course, ate too much food on Thanksgiving.  All my best friends and I went to the World's Largest Disco in Buffalo. Seriously the best time I've had, like ever (other than the JT concert OBV). My boogie shoes were on all night long and my sore feet, legs and butt the next day were proof of a fantastic night. 

crappy iphone pics are the worst

Once December approached I dove head first into Christmas festivities.  I dug out my ugly beautiful Christmas sweaters and started watching too many Lifetime and Hallmark movies (impossible, there aren't enough hours in the day. Those movies are the best). I've also been out Christmas shopping quite a few times and have yet to cross anything off my lists yet. Booo. Christmas shopping is the worst.

OH! And Bruno, believe it or not, got even cuter than he already was...I did not know that was even possible.

So handsome.

Also, it's been snowing non-stop for the past 3 days...BLAH. 

I'm ready for Spring. Well, right after Christmas I'll be ready.
This post is random and awful. Sorry not sorry.

Hope you've all been bueno!

xo

What Makes me Smile...Holiday Edition

Now, that Thanksgiving is over, it's finally time to be openly obsessed with Christmas without the fear of people giving you the death glare...YAY!  Here's what I'm loving so far this holiday season...

The Uniqueness of Being shared an AMAZING Holiday Pop Culture Movie Guide!

watching every. single. one.

In LOVE with this idea.

22 Tacky Christmas Sweater Party Ideas | Sign me up!

Super cute gift wrapping ideas (here and here)

Umm...I NEED this sweater in my life. Pronto.

This adorable handmade snow globe.

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18 Things You Probably Didn't Know About the Movie "Elf"

Advent Calendar Ideas

25 Entertaining Decor Ideas for the Holidays

DIY Tacky Christmas Sweaters
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Happy Christmas Season!
xo