A New Year's Resolution Part 2: 22 Before 2012

Happy New Year's Eve!! This is Part 2 of my short Resolution series for the New Year (find part one here) and this post is all about GOALS! I know, I know...cliche right? But I really believe goals are powerfully exciting and bring so much joy when they are accomplished. In other words...I. love. them.

I have been working over the past month and a half on personal goals, visions for MaieDae, and planning for this upcoming year. I have found that setting attainable and inspirational goals and making a game out of it has really done a lot for my self motivation. I do not care for the label of "resolution" for my goals. Resolutions are getting a bad rep and it is time to make things happen! Now, different people are certainly self motivated in different ways but I have found that if I have a mindset of a "fresh start" at the beginning of each month and each year, I can really psyche myself up and get excited about upcoming goals.

Here is a peek into my list of 22 (number chosen from my age) things I would like to accomplish before 2012:

1. Go on a skiing trip with Jon & his family.

2. Start a collection (or two!).

3. Read five business//development books. 

4. Have an amazing one year anniversary!

5. Finish Project 365 & put together a tribute coffee table book.

6. Participate in my first Arts Fair.

7. Buy a mandolin and learn to play.

8. Decorate & create an inspirational studio space.

9. Try five sewing projects.

10. Create a line of print design for my Etsy shop.

11. Start putting together and drafting rough draft of my book.

12. Start new photography project.

13. Get a new camera for blogging, photo-shoots and products.

14. Develop & grow blog.

15. Refine & define Etsy shop.

16. Collect art, frames and photographs for wall collage in living room.

17. See Rocky Horror Picture Show in the theatre.

18. Design a font.

19. Pay 50% of my student loans.

20. Keep Madi as my pen-pal & "little sister".

21. Re-decorate bedroom.

22. Have sister and mother dates on a monthly basis. 

And here are a couple of things you can look forward to this year with MaieDae!

1. New weekly post series.

2. Mini make-over and jazz up of the blog.

3. Participation in Project ReStyle.

4. New products and pretties in the Etsy shop. 

5. Introduction of MaieDae Graphic Design!

A Happy New Year to everyone! I wish you all the very best. 

A Very Wallace Christmas

As promised, here are some photographs from my first trip to the Biltmore house and my Christmastime with Jon's side of the family. Enjoy!

Spent early Christmas morning with my family, then headed over to the Wallace's to spend the second half with Jon's side. 

My sweet little green-eyed Kaito (Kai-toe) has been obsessed with our tree. It started with intent staring, adoring, and playing with ornaments and quickly became his new favorite home.

I love Christmas and I am so thankful for my beautiful family. Thanks for taking a peek! Now it is time to start putting away the decorations and suiting up for the wonderful New Year! 2011, here I come!

DIY: Pendant Lamp Detailing

I have been working in the studio for the past couple of days and it is coming along slowly but surely. I am excited to create a space that is inspirational and functional so I can get those creative juices flowing for the New Year! I put together a quick and easy DIY to update a simple lamp I got on clearance at ROSS.

Supplies:

* Fabric Remnants

* Twine

* Hot Glue Gun

I love this pendant bunting. It looks cute and is versatile to put on lamp shades, walls, use as garland or decorate other surfaces!

Be back later to share some photographs from Christmastime!

A New Year's Resolution Part 1: Project Re-Style

I am so excited about the New Year. I have been planning, brainstorming, sketching, and dreaming up ideas for 2011 and I cannot wait to share some of my ideas and goals with you. Part 1 of my New Year's resolution post is focused on an amazing crafty venture for 2011 called: Project Re-Style.

The beautiful elsiecake from A Beautiful Mess is challenging herself, as well as fellow creators, to take part in a year-long resolution to turn unwanted, damaged, and old things into usable, fresh, and beautiful items. Thus: Project ReStyle. So, for 52 weeks, A Beautiful Mess will feature their weekly project as well as feature ReStyles from others who take the pledge. Sound like fun? Here are some of the guidelines via Project ReStyle:


Project ReStyle Guidelines
1. You must use unwanted, damaged, or unusable vintage or used items to ReStyle. One of the big purposes of the group is that it encourages green living and is budget-friendly. You can use items from your own closet//attic that you no longer love, thrifted finds, or hand-me downs. 
2. Take a Before & After photo of your ReStyled project. It is that simple!
3. Share your creative work on your blogs and in our Flickr Group. If you do not have a Flickr account, it is free to join. We will be choosing favorites each week to share on our blogs, so you will want to be sure to join the fun.
4. You can create fashion, home decor, or gift items. There are no limits on what types of items you can ReStyle! Be creative and make items you know you can really use!

The best part is that anyone can join in on the fun. I am taking the pledge and hoping to feature 2-3 ReStyled projects per month on my blog. If you and your blog would like to be part of the fun, you can join here.

Planning to take the challenge? I would love to hear! Cheers to the New Year!

Fancy Shmancy: Christmas Loot Edition!

Jon and I had an absolutely wonderful first Christmas together. ♥♥♥♥ In light of the wonderful gifts we received, I thought it would be neat to feature a his//her Christmas Loot Edition of Fancy Shmancy. Here are our new favorite things:

1. Silver Bow Purse 2. FujiFilm Instax Camera 3. Let's Bring Back 4. Angus & Julia Stone on Vinyl  5. KitchenAid Blender 6. Beauty & the Beast FOX Theatre Tickets 7. Shimmering Faceted Bead Ring 8. Nikon P100 9. Jensen Turntable

1. Trigun: Complete Series 2. Japanese Shamisen 3. USB Hidden Flash Drive Watch 4. New Xbox 360 Controller 5.  Meglodon Surround Sound Headphone 6. Scott Pilgrim DVD 7. Where's Waldo? 8. Moleskine Mini Graph Notebook

Inspiration for Your Nest: Kitchens

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! I am excited to share some Christmas pictures and goodies with you soon! But first, a little inspiration for your nest...since I spent so much time in the kitchen this holiday (mostly eating sweets!) I thought this week I would feature some gorgeous cooking spaces!

Home Sweet Home

Oh My Deer

Young House Love

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home

I love all of the candy colors and beautiful kitchenware displays! 

Things I cannot wait to share soon:

• Family Trip to the Biltmore
• Christmastime
• Studio//Guest Room Progress
• My new favorite things loot!
• A few easy//adorable DIYs

Keep warm!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas!!

I will be back to post pictures and catch up from all of the festivities soon! Warm wishes!!

Fancy Shmancy: A Tuesday Collection of Favorite Things 12.22.10

So my "Tuesday" collection of favorite things has turned into a "Wednesday" collection this week. We have been keeping busy with Christmas festivities and just got back from the Biltmore House. I will be sure to share some pictures soon!

1. City on the Edge of a Triangle World print by Sometimesiswirl

2. I am thinking about getting these Tuxedo Ruffle Curtains for the Studio/Guest Room.

3. I love these sweet photographs by Lola's Room.

4. I am kinda going crazy for large sparkly rings right now. Love this Double Leaf Love Ring!

5. Kimchi Blue Perforated Sued Heel in Silver

6. I think these Custom Silhouette Prints by ellothere are just gorgeous! 

Best wishes!

Inspiration for Your Nest: Cozy Bedroom

Four days until Christmas!! I cannot wait. I thought a post about bedroom inspiration would give you warm thoughts in this cold weather! 

Keep warm and cozy!

Photo Credit: HomeSweetHome