the happiness project...and 2012 resolutions

i really want to share my resolutions with you (I have a ridiculous number) without getting too personal. my hope is that by talking about them on here maybe I'll:

1. inspire others
2. be more inclined to stick with it

to make a really long story short - my goal, my resolution is to live my best life. make the most of everyday and be as happy as possible.

my mom bought me the happiness project by gretchen rubin for christmas and i immediately dove in. for some reason i feel the need to disclaim: i'm a very happy person. i'm rarely sad, never depressed. i find joy in the simplest things like a cozy blanket, cilantro and opening my sunroof in january. however i do believe that i can be happier. happier in my home, my work, my marriage, myself...life is short so why not make the very best of every day?

the happiness project is basically 12 resolutions broken down and tackled each month of the year. ranging from friendships to vitality to money and everywhere in between. i've started my own happiness project this year and while i plan to follow gretchen on some of her monthly resolutions - not all apply to my life so i'll be working on a few of my own.

first up is January and focusing on vitality: boosting my energy. 


i'll go into greater detail in my next post but the basic idea is probably very similar to many of your resolutions: work out more, eat better, get organized etc.

so what are your resolutions? have you read the happiness project? would love to hear your experiences.

{photo by me}

late to the party....

but hands down my fave look, fave gown....salma. gucci.

Source: google.com via Shelby on Pinterest

wishing you a perfect 2012

{image via bergdorf goodman fall preview 2011 catalog}

holiday cards and new year's resolutions

I know it's a bit late to be posting about holiday cards but I didn't get a chance to post before taking some time off with the family and they kind of fit into one of my new years resolutions so I'm posting them anyway.

I'm still finalizing all my resolutions and I'll probably do a full post about that soon - but one thing I've been thinking about a lot lately is to be more thoughtful.  and one way to do this is to send more cards.  holiday cards, just because cards, birthday cards etc.  and since I love crafting - my goal is to make all of these cards myself.  or at least try.

so this year I made a handful of Christmas cards and while I didn't send out as many as I'd hoped - It's at least at start.  Don't take offense if you didn't get one from me - another part of my resolution is to start collecting people's addresses - so if you'd like a card from me - just email me your address.

as you can see there really is no rhyme or reason to my cards - no two were the same....I tend to just jump into my craft projects and see what happens.  maybe that should be another resolution - planning ahead. 

so do you have a favorite card?  I'm pretty proud of my reindeer as I made him with a recycled Starbucks bag. 

small business saturday

being a small business owner myself I was thrilled to learn about small business saturday this year. (was it new this year or have I been living under a rock?) anyway - the saturday after thanksgiving - my fam and I happily ventured out to visit (and support!) some of our fave local small businesses. I picked up these goodies from kyss boutique. the bag was handmade in bali and the necklace from a local designer. love! did you participate in small business saturday?

{photos by me}

i NEED these mugs

{from leif}

before & after :: poncho to pillows

I've been looking for the perfect fabric to recover some pillows I have around the house but all the fabrics I came across were just wrong.  good fabrics are too expensive.  (and I'm not good enough at sewing to risk messing up some fancy fabric) stylish pillows are (in my opinion) way over priced...so imagine my delight while in H&M the other day and I came across this gem.  it was exactly what I had in mind.  and only $24.95! I was able to make three (yes THREE!) pillows from the material and they are so soft and cozy.  and unique.  of course I may have to go back and by another poncho to keep and wear for myself...

{top photo polyvore :: bottom photos me}

around the house :: thanksgiving

  

we're hosting this year so I was so excited to decorate the dining table and mantle for our festive fall holiday.  as usual I went to town with my gold spray paint.....wishing you a happy, yummy thanksgiving day.

{all photos by me}

I'm obsessed with this

via elora

happy veterans day

via pinterest

catalogs.

ever since taryn told me about the "catalogs" app - my ipad and I have been obsessed. you can browse hundreds of catalogs from many retailers (and I only assume the list will continue to grow), shop directly from the app, bookmark your faves and even make cute little collages. I put these together last night

these were gifts given to my in-laws on their wedding day. and now I get to have them displayed on my mantle.

tricks and treats

halloween is sneaking up fast. as usual I need to scramble for a last minute costume. dressing up isn't my favorite thing - I'd rather stay home and hand out candy to the kiddos.
but I did manage to find a few treats to get you in the mood...

links: skeleton apron, kitty slippers, graveyard treats, skull dishtowels, halloween decor, surf, silhouette pumpkin.