THIS YEAR I'M GOING TO...

I love that goals are our own. We can make them as simple or as complicated as we want AND we can evolve them as we grow and change. In the past, I've put together lists that were very long in length for the year, and while I seemed to accomplish most of the things on that list, I found that many of the things I wanted to do ended up being something I was no longer interested in due to other hobbies or time spent focused elsewhere. This year, I decided to be a little more simple and general with my goals.

01 // Photography - Ever since I took a photography course during college I have grown to love it more and more. I would love to continue learning how to take great pictures and really challenge myself this year. I am planning a "52 Weeks" project for my photography work that I'll be sharing on the blog. I'm also planning on taking on a small artistic portrait project and object project to improve my lighting and composition skills. I've decided to take Arrow & Apples lighting e-course to help me out. With some of my new equipment in hand and a little direction, I'm ready to go! You'll be able to follow along with my photo journaling by checking in on my "Captured" post series.

02 //  Decorating - Finishing the dining room decorating was such an exciting feat for 2012. I have so many great ideas for some of the spaces in our home and I'm going to continue working on one room at a time. This year I would like to finish the living room, master bedroom and studio space. *Maybe* I'll be able to finished a couple more of the smaller spaces along the way! ;) You can follow along with my decorating via my "Project Condo" series throughout the year.

03 // Kitchen - I love the idea of being a good in the kitchen. I have so many beautiful cookbooks around the house, I would love to dive in and experiment in the kitchen this year. I made my first batch of french macarons last year, and I'm planning to work on perfecting the art. I would also love to build a menu plan for dinners and try out new recipes on a monthly basis.

04 // Living Well - I started my wellness journey back in April and so much of my mindset has changed towards caring for my body. I want to continue challenging myself to eat healthy and try out more and more healthy foods. I want to continue exercising on a regular basis and maybe challenge myself to run a 5k. I also want to take more "love myself" time by having more quiet time, taking baths, doing yoga and little things for myself. Check out my "Living Well" series to follow some of my learnings and challenges.

05 // Learning - This year I want to really learn how to efficiently use my Wacom tablet, I want to learn how to shoot and edit great looking videos for my blog and read at least 6 developmental books/e-courses.

06 // Family - Jon and I have a lot of fun goals for 2013 evolving around each other and our family & friends. This will be a huge focus for us this year. I'm so blessed by my husband and our community.

As well, Jenny and I have some VERY exciting things planned for Maiedae this year. This year is going to be a big year for us, we spent most of 2012 working on "refining" Maiedae and this year will bring a lot of new adventures and business decisions. Can't wait to reveal those to you throughout the year!

What are some of your goals for 2013??

THREADS HIGHLIGHTS

I love being able to take the time to share outfit posts with you, especially now that I've incorporated the addition of "get the look" on each post. I've always been highly inspired by fashion bloggers, especially my favorites Kelli Murray and Bonnie Barton. I love seeing how people put things together in unique and quirky ways. It's easy to look into your closet and pick the same things over and over again, but taking a little extra time to mix something you wouldn't normally or gather inspiration from your favorite fashion icons is a great way to inspire yourself.

This coming year, I'm planning on putting more time into my style posts as well as incorporating more posts on the subject of beauty. I've got some great ideas, vlogs, and other things in store and I can't wait to get going on all of my new content! Aside from more dedication to my "threads and beauty" posts, you can also be expecting some new exciting features as well as improvements to some of the old ones. 

Here are a couple "threads" highlights throughout 2012:

1// Polka Dotted Maxi & Cream Lace Top 2// Floral Jeans & Coral Heels 3// Bohemian Creams 4// Peach Collar 5// Felt Hat & Chambray 6// Glitz & Aztec Prints 7// Fall Layers 8// My Favorite Boots 9// Blanket Sweater I could wear forever. 

Cheers, my friends!

2012 HIGHLIGHTS

2012 has been a fantastic year. I feel so blessed by all of the memories and new friends made this year. As I've been soaking up the last couple days of the 2012 and taking a little break from work, I've been thinking a lot about next year and what I would like to accomplish and what it will bring. As I was preparing for this post, I took a little time to look back through my entries for 2012. It's so neat to see the year through photographs. It makes me so grateful for this blog and the memories captured here. Here's a couple of my favorite moments from 2012:

1// Started the year with my "thrift-tiquing" challenge and blogged about it throughout the year.
2// Jon and I found out we were going to be first-time aunt and uncle. We're in love with Emerson and so grateful that she is in our lives. A couple months ago, Jessica and Josh asked us if we would be Emerson's godparents. We are so honored!
3// In January, I went RED! It's been my favorite hair color to date. I love being a red-head.
4// Jenny and I started our first of many Pinterest Parties. It's been such an amazing way to meet friends, build community, and have a dedicated time for crafting.
5// Jenny and I launched our new Maiedae website!
6// Celebrated two years of marriage with my sweet husband.
7// Went to Universal Studios with Zach and Leah to celebrate our anniversaries.
8// Got to be part of my best friend's wedding. She made such a beautiful bride and it was an honor to be part of her special day.
9// Jon and I moved into our new home in July!
10// Got the opportunity to be featured in BUST Magazine.
11// Turned twenty-four.
12// Took a mini vacation with our family to Tybee Island.
13// Made a lot of personal health and wellness changes.
14// Went on a double-date with Jon's parents to the symphony.
15// Spent treasured time with new and old friends.
16// Celebrated fall in Georgia with Jon.
17// Was asked to intern at Blogshop Atlanta, met new friends, and learned a lot. :)
18// Took new Maiedae photos with Jenny.
19// Finished decorating my dining room and was featured on ABM.
20// Jon and I hosted our first diner party with friends in our newly finished dining room space.

What are some of your favorite memories from 2012?

CELEBRATING 2012

As mentioned in my previous post, Jon and I had a little get-together to ring in the new year with a few of our good friends. :) When Jon and I visited Fort Mill, SC, for Christmas, we stopped by one of those huge castle fireworks warehouses with his dad and loaded up on fireworks. We spent New Year's Eve launching beautiful fireworks and playing with sparklers.

Since Jon got me a tripod for Christmas, I was able to play with the slow shutter speed and get some beautiful shots of the pretty lights and celebration. :)

How did you celebrate the new year?? :)

LOOKING BACK ON 2011

2012 is nearly here!! I am really excited for 2012. I feel like every new year is a good time to rejuvenate my self-motivation and reflect on the things I would like to change and accomplish. I've had a lot of fun planning new adventures for MaieDae with Jenny and creating a new list of goals for myself in 2012, which I plan to share within the next few days. :)

Here is a little check-up on my 22 before 2012 list. I didn't accomplish everything, but I feel very satisfied with what I was able to check off. Sometimes when you set goals for yourself, you have to realize that you might change your mind about projects and items you want to accomplish. Don't feel pressured to accomplish everything if you lose passion for something or decide it's not the right timing.

22 Before 2012
1. Go on a skiing trip with Jon & his family.  -- Had so much fun! 
2. Start a collection (or two!). -- Records, vintage dinnerware, and cocktail rings.
3. Read five business/development books. 
4. Have an amazing one year anniversary! 
5. Finish Project 365 & put together a tribute coffee table book. -- Haven't put the book together yet; hoping to do this soon!
6. Participate in my first Arts Fair. -- Participated in the Indie Craft Experience and the Indie Craft Parade. 
7. Buy a mandolin and learn to play. -- This did not happen. Maybe in 2012?
8. Decorate & create an inspirational studio space. -- Check and then un-check. I was able to put together something nice, and since we are planning to move and have needed extra space for storage, it has become un-inspirational again. 
9. Try five sewing projects. -- Only dabbled in a couple projects, but I'm planning to take the DIY Dress Up E-Course in 2012. 
10. Create a line of print design for my Etsy shop. -- Decided to go in a different direction. 
11. Start putting together and drafting rough draft of my book. -- Putting this project on the bookshelf for a little while.
12. Start new photography project. -- Didn't do any projects per-say, but I got a new SLR and took time to take lots and lots of pictures. 
13. Get a new camera for blogging, photo-shoots and products. -- Yes!! 
14. Develop & grow blog. -- I'm so excited to see how it's grown since January 2011. I can't wait for 2012! I'm planning to kick off the year with a fresh design and new features!
15. Refine & define Etsy shop. -- Even though Jenny and I spent lots of time refining, we are planning on doing even more in 2012.
16. Collect art, frames and photographs for wall collage in living room. -- I've collected a lot of great pieces! When we move, I'm planning to hang everything up.
17. See "Rocky Horror Picture Show" in the theatre. -- Had plans on doing this but it ended up falling through. 
18. Design a font. -- Sketched out designs, just haven't created the font.  YET!
19. Pay 50% of my student loans. -- Paid 5 loans of 9...only 4 to go! 
20. Keep Madi as my pen-pal & "little sister". 
21. Re-decorate bedroom. -- See post here and here!
22. Have sister and mother dates on a monthly basis.  -- While I've gotten to spend some good time with mom and sister, we haven't been able to schedule date time. Hoping this will change soon!


Other Exciting Happenings in 2011

* Saw Beauty and the Beast at the FOX Theatre with Jon

* Celebrated 6 years of being with Jonathon!

* Did a little project restyle on my dresser.

* Started my business partnership with Jenny!

* Started offering blog design. 

* Created a cute little dining nook.

* Got my first tattoo.  

* Visited the WB studios in California! 

* Celebrated our first year of marriage and took some cute pictures!

* Went to Chicago with Jenny to attend a Design conference and explore the city!  

* Welcomed a new member of the family. :) 

* Beautiful ladies wearing MaieDae goodies!

* Celebrated a wonderful Thanksgiving with family. 

* Had a holiday DIY blog party!

* Created the first MaieDae Holiday Lookbook with Jenny! 

* Went to Seattle to visit Anica! 

* Started the new 5 Things post series. 

* Went Red!

Check back later for my 2012 goals AND a brand new blog design to go with the new year!! I can't wait to show you the new look! What was your favorite part about 2011??

1.1.11

Cheers to the New Year!! Wishing you all the very best in 2011.

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!