Christmas Vacation

It's time for my annual two week vacation from the blog. I try to focus on family and fun during Christmas vacation. This break also helps me leisurely prep for the next year. I'll see everyone in 2016 with some great new blog ideas (and potentially another new blog)!

So Long Warm Weather..

It's travel day! Arthur and I are leaving warm California for super-cold Indiana for the holidays. We're currently on a plane somewhere over the Rockies. Hopefully the traveling bit goes well. You never know with a toddler!

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

My new Thirty-One bag (Soft Utility Tote) is huge! I'm loving the crazy space in this thing. Mine is Plum with Oatmeal polka dots and is embroidered with a gold B. The bag is absolutely gorgeous.
Mulling over some plans for 2016 this week. I'm feeling the itch to change some big things.
I finished a book yesterday and have yet to start the next one. What is wrong with me?
Arthur has had two poo explosions this week. Feels like I have a newborn again...
Got sucked back into Atlantis. That show is pretty cheesy, but I love it!
Super glad that I got my open Thirty-One party submitted. One of the prints was on low inventory, and three of my customers ordered it. Submitting early ensures that they get their product. Thank goodness!
Loving my new book series... I may just have to add the third book to my suitcase for Indiana.

Monthly Life Goals December 2015

Before I get to this month’s goals, let’s check in on November's goals and my progress.

30 Day Challenge: Craft a day — Success! participating in 30 Days of Christmas Cards and prepping for my two craft fairs helped me complete this goal!
Finish at least 15 blog posts for December — Success! Between my craft blog and this one, I finished over 15 blog posts for December. I'm in a great position to relax over Christmas vacation.
Make a Christmas present list — Success! I've got my list and have even crossed off a few people already.
Pick my reads for December and plan for 2016’s TBR —Fail. I'm so disorganized with my TBR pile right now... Maybe for December.
Clean out my craft area for vacation —Success! I've gotten it mostly clean. Just finished up a few simple projects and then the rest will be put away.

This month's goals: A light set of goals as I will be in Indiana for most of the month.

Draft January's blog posts-- I love being able to take off the last weeks of the year to focus on the Holidays. I use part of that time for blog maintenance and prepping for the next year. I would like to get all my January recurring posts taken care of before the month starts.
Pinterest clean out -- It seriously needs it!
Plan for 2016’s TBR -- I like to have a general plan when it comes to what I want to read in the next year. This past year, I deviated greatly from my plan. For 2016, I'm thinking less structure but a few key guidelines.
Sign up for a few reading challenges -- Not too many, but I know there will be a few...

Happy Thanksgiving

We're hosting a friend Thanksgiving today with a mix of Indian and American food, plus fancy cocktails! I'm excited!

Currently #17

Watching: Lots of movies lately! In the past week, we've watched Tomorrowland (not great), Amy (depressing, but really good), and Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (lots of fun).

Reading: The Barefoot Princess by Christina Dodd, actually I just finished this one and are moving onto the last book in the trilogy, The Prince Kidnaps a Bride by Christina Dodd.

Listening: Arthur and I have been listening to various Christmas music Pandora channels.

Making: Working on some Christmas gifts today.

Feeling: Still fighting a cold. Annoying...

Planning: We're having some people over tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone's bringing something, but that still means that I have some dishes to prep and a house clean...

Loving: We've had a few rainy days lately and I love them.

Fall Thanks

1. Pinterest -- For inspiring a new project. Crazy, but I'm excited!

2. Apple cider -- For reminding me of my love of fall.

3. Friends -- For giving support even in the dark hours.

4. Indoor plumbing -- For nice hot showers to help me breathe easier.

5. The builders of our house -- For giving me a completely unnecessary, but well-used crafting area (otherwise known as a butler's pantry).

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

Two solo BART rides with the toddler and we survived!
Almost 40 Christmas cards done, shooting for 100... by the 14th of November. I think I can, I think I can...
Two DNF books in a row. This week has not been a good reading week. Hoping the next book is a winner.
My house is a disaster. Guess tomorrow just became cleaning day.
Thirty-One's Take Two Tote is frigging amazing! (And I'm not saying this just because I'm a Thirty-One consultant) I used it today on the excursion to Berkeley. It has so much room and pockets! Perfect!
I need some holiday themed Jamberrys. Good thing the Bazaar is almost here. I can order some from Amanda.
Really craving some sushi.

Monthly Life Goals November 2015

Before I get to this month’s goals, let’s check in on October's goals and my progress.

30 Day Challenge: 30 Things Class by Ali Edwards—Fail. Just never seemed to find time to finish these.
30 Day Challenge: Blog Ahead October — Success. I didn't quite get to my goal, but I finished 25 posts for November and December. I'm taking the win.
Finalize holiday travel plans — Success! I finally bought out plane tickets for Christmas. I even managed to get seats next to each other on all four flights.
Get at least one more Thirty-One party booked for Oct-Dec — Fail. Although I'm hoping that I can get some good sales from my bazaar on the 14th.
Plan out Holiday Bazaar and upcoming Craft Fairs — Success. I'm calling it a success, but I'm not quite finished with this yet.

This month's goals:

30 Day Challenge: Craft a day -- It may not be very big, but I want to be crafty every day in November.
Finish at least 15 blog posts for December -- I'm taking my customary two weeks off for Christmas, but I want to make sure I have other posts done beforehand.
Make a Christmas present list -- I like to plan early.
Pick my reads for December and plan for 2016's TBR -- Again I like to plan early.
Clean out my craft area for vacation -- I like to come back from vacation to a clean area. Right now, it's a giant pile of mess.

Five Thanks on Thursday

This past week has been a tough one. Probably makes this the perfect week to engage in some thanks.

Sleep -- For helping me combat this horrendous migraine. I'm going on day 6...
Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Seeds -- For helping me combat this horrendous migraine. (Yes also)
Crafty friend -- For sharing a table with me at our upcoming Holiday Bazaar. I hope we can make some money.
Barnes and Noble -- For carrying some interesting alcohol related magazines to use as research for my new blog.
Fluffy Romances -- For giving me a break from more serious books.

Currently #16

Watching: J and I waited until the second half of the two parter had aired before we watched Doctor Who. Really enjoying this season much more than last season.

Reading: After some nonfiction and more serious books, I took a breather with a few fluffy romances.

Listening: Arthur and I have been jamming out to Florence + the Machine this morning.

Making: I'm super behind, but I finally started September's Project Life pages. And Arthur's album is two months behind.

Feeling: Going on five days of a massive migraine. I am so over this! A new acquaintance told me to try acupuncture. Maybe I'll attempt to find someone...

Planning: The bazaar is only two and a half weeks away. And we've got a lot to be done before then. Plus, I'm selling my Thirty-One and cards.

Loving: I randomly grabbed some dark chocolate pomegranate seeds from Trader Joe's last week. So incredibly yummy!

Currently #15

Watching: J and I only have 3 more episodes of Merlin! What are we going to do when it's over? I suppose just pick another show to binge watch, but it's still sad...

Reading: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. It's been on my list for years now. I finally got around to reading it. Good, but my goodness it is long...

Listening: I started at the beginning of Elise Blaha Cripe's podcast Elise Gets Crafty. I'm enjoying her discussion of small business and creativity. I'm about halfway through all of them and really enjoying these podcasts.

Making: I'm doing the last of my Halloween cards. I wanted to make one for each kid coming to the fall social on Saturday. I need about five more cards. Plus, it gives me a chance to use up some of my Halloween paper.

Feeling: The past two weeks have been insane. Now that the retreat and Arthur's birthday party is finished, I'm feeling much calmer.

Planning: I'm coordinating and participating in one and participating in another craft fair. I need to reevaluate my inventory for them and decide my game plan. I also have a ton of tasks for the one I'm coordinating.

Loving: Arthur's being supper snuggly lately. I love it!

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

I love going to the zoo, especially watching the elephants
Birthday party planning is no joke. Arthur's party is on Saturday and holy cow I have a ton of stuff to do!
My child is the grumpy child and I'm okay with that
Purple and green is a great color combination made horrible through an association with Barney -- random epiphany of the week
Slightly cooler weather would be nice
Plane tickets are so fucking expensive, ugh!
I need more Thirty-One bags...
My TBR pile is out of control. I need to schedule out more time to read

Monthly Life Goals October 2015

Before I get to this month’s goals, let’s check in on September's goals and my progress.

30 Day Challenge: 30 Days of Lists — Success! I love this low pressure challenge.
30 Day Challenge: 30 Things class by Ali Edwards — Fail. I think this is going to turn into a fall/winter challenge instead of something I do in one month.
30 Days Challenge: Blog-Tember — Success! I posed all days except for one (didn't make a vlog).
Get a haircut (possibly dye my hair) — Fail.
Open a cookbook to a random page, make that recipe — Fail. Life got in the way.
Reevaluate my Thirty-One wish list —Success! I think I know what I want to buy between now and the end of the year. And I have a wishlist for my benefits.
Get a pedicure —Fail. Really hoping this would happen.

This month's goals:

I'm taking it easy in October. September was crazy and we have a ton of already planned activities for October (Arthur's birthday, fall social, etc). I'm pulling back on some of my goals to regroup for November and December.

30 Day Challenge: 30 Things Class by Ali Edwards-- Never really focused on this last month, maybe this month I can make some headway...
30 Day Challenge: Blog Ahead October -- Finish at least 30 blog posts for Nov-Jan in October.
Finalize holiday travel plans -- I think I've decided the when, just need to actually buy tickets and secure any other things (i.e. car rental).
Get at least one more Thirty-One party booked for Oct-Dec -- Pushing to end the year in a decent spot!
Plan out Holiday Bazaar and upcoming Craft Fairs -- I'm coordinating one bazaar and participating in at least one other one... Need to get my plan together!

Monthly Life Goals September 2015

Before I get to this month’s goals, let’s check in on August's goals and my progress.

30 Day Challenge: 30 Days of New Movies — Fail. Such a fail... I watched only about 8 movies throughout the month.
Watch and review 10 TED Talks — Fail. Ugh! How can I never remember this goal?
Plan and start the special surprises for the October retreat — Success! Not everything is settled, but I've made big progress this month.
Plan activities for Arthur’s birthday party — Success! Most of his party is planned, most of the favors and decor has been bought. Woohoo!
Finish a Soduku puzzle — Fail.
Buy a vase and fill with fresh flowers — Success! I bought a very simple vase. Now I need to remember to fill it at least biweekly.

This month's goals:

30 Day Challenge: 30 Days of Lists -- I do love this no pressure challenge.
30 Day Challenge: 30 Things class by Ali Edwards -- I bought class, really need to get moving on it. I want to keep up my writing.
30 Days Challenge: Blog-Tember -- Utterly crazy to take this on, but I'm doing it!
Get a haircut (possibly dye my hair) -- My last haircut was in January, I need another one. And I've been wanting to die my hair for awhile now. This may be the month...
Open a cookbook to a random page, make that recipe -- Random challenge, but want to do it.
Reevaluate my Thirty-One wish list -- Need to get ready for the holiday season.
Get a pedicure -- Random item off my list, but I really want this one. Last pedicure was in April. Yeah April...

Lots of Thanks

1. My customers -- Both of my businesses (Stampin' Up and Thirty-One) are doing well and it's all because of my amazing customers!

2. Niles Canyon Railway volunteers -- For keeping the railway running to the delight of Arthur and tons of other children. Plus, I had fun riding the rails!

3. The internet -- For always having the exact thing I'm looking for. Just need to use the right search words.

4. My crafty friends -- For providing support and inspiration.

5. Papermate Flair -- For being the perfect journaling pen for me. Yep, some days it's the little things...

Currently #14

Watching: Buying and Selling. I'm a sucker for real estate shows. This one is nice to have on in the background during lunch.

Reading: I'm trying to catch up with my blog roll.

Listening: Arthur has been watching Thomas and Friends lately. I hear it in my sleep.

Making: Trying to figure out our weekend plans so I can get to actually crafting something.

Feeling: The inside temperature is set at 73, but I am still hot. And this migraine is making my whole body sore.

Planning: All the parties! So many coming up to either help plan or do it all by myself.

Loving: Caffeine in the form of pop is the only thing getting me through the day.

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

Super excited and scared about the upcoming Week in the Life project. I've never done one before, but have been wanting to. I bought the kit, we'll see what happens...
Arthur was sick and passed it to me. Sucks being sick with a crazy toddler in the house.
Been trying a lot of new recipes lately. Cooking isn't as horrible as I once thought, although I'm far from loving it.
I love the library!
My new planner is amazing. See my post here.
Arthur's been talking a lot more lately. Very adorable!
The rest of August is crazy busy... I hope everything goes well.

Gracias

I haven't done these posts in months... It's been a bit of a rough go for the last few months, but things are looking up. So here's my thank yous for the week:

1. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin -- Weird to thank a book, but this one has inspired me to make some big changes in day-to-day life. Excited to move forward.

2. Arthur -- For being so adorable and lovable even when he's stressing me out with toddler tantrums.

3. SU's holiday catalog -- For lots of great new crafting inspiration. Ready to dive in.

4. MVPA -- For continuing to support me even from afar. I've had a ton of trouble adjusting to life in East Bay, so it's great to still be able to go down and spend time with them.

5. Sprouts -- For low cost but great produce. Arthur and i are making it our biweekly grocery trip.

Currently #13

Watching: Another Period. Hilarious! I am in love with this show.

Reading: Leaving a Trace by Alexandra Johnson. A beautiful book about keeping a journal. I may not be doing all her exercises, but I am very into this book right now.

Listening: iTunes has some new radio channels. Arthur and I have been dancing around to the 80s hits.

Making: A ton of my friends have a birthday this month. I am prepping a ton of pretty cards.

Feeling: I am constantly hot and sweaty. That is all...

Planning: The October retreat will be upon us before I know it. I need to get to planning. Thank goodness that I have a planning session on the books for next Monday.

Loving: Arthur has been giving the best full body hugs. Love them!