via – great article too!
January flew by in a flash and I have a feeling February being the short month that it is will do the same!! Writing my goals out holds me accountable – I feel like I’ve made a promise to myself by putting it out there in writing so I need to keep it…how well I do at keeping it is another story! Here’s how I did with my goals for January:
~ Bring lunch to work 4x per week: half pass. It was an odd month with snow days and on some of the days I would bring lunch, I’d only get a small soup or something small to go with my lunch, so I wasn’t spending as much money.
~Read 2 Books: half pass. I finished the DVF book (review coming soon) and started on this one during my Florida trip. So not a total fail and I honestly only have my commuting time to read, so I need to find some other time in my schedule to fit it in!
~Send 3 pieces of snail mail: PASS! Easily my favorite goal of the month!
~Plan out two weeks worth of blog posts: PASS! This was actually really helpful and I’m taking it into February as well!! The Plum Paper Planner came in so handy because I can see the full month view (with ample space to write)and then my days are broken out into to-do lists. Pretty much the best planner ever! I’m also able to check off if I hit all the proper social media outlets for my blog that day.
~No M&Ms: PASS! Gary can attest to this one being hard, but I haven’t had any and I’m not craving them…probably because I’ve supplemented with having Milano cookies instead…not much better LOL
~Organize photos from Europe: FAIL. Flat out did not get to this at all! With over 400 photos it’s just daunting trying to narrow it down, but it will get done!!
All things considered, I think I did pretty well….did I do them all, nope but I feel good about the ones I did accomplish!!
Here’s what I’m hoping to get done in February!
1// Unsubscribe from emails I never read. I find myself deleting emails more times than actually clicking through the emails, so why not save some time and unsubscribe from them all together!
2// Make 2 new meals from the Chelsea Market Cookbook. Since it’s a short month I think 2 is an attainable number and there are so many great recipes to try – so who wants to come over for dinner?!
3//Drink a glass of warm water with lemon 4x a week. After reading and hearing about all the benefits from so many people and Gary getting on the bandwagon with this, I’ve decided to give it a go!
4// No gel manicures this month. I went a little crazy since November getting my nails done and my nails have taken a beating! My only problem is the nail polish chipping so much faster – so any remedies you have for that I’ll take!!
5//Get ahead of spring closet cleaning. I’ve gotten a few new pieces of clothing over the last few months and haven’t really stuck to the rule one item in one item out! So step one is the cleaning and step 2 is the ebay selling and also need to buy a few more of these hangers – they are the best!
What’s on your list this month to tackle?
xo,
Good work on last month's goals! Sometimes all of our goals don't get done, but the important thing is to keep working at them! 🙂
Loving the ones you have for this month, especially getting ahead of spring cleaning!
Hope you're doing ok with all of the snow you guys got up there! I just saw Boston on the news and the guy was standing in 45" of snow!!! Stay warm!!!
I love the idea of sending snail mail! Who doesn't love getting a letter in the mail! Hallie and I have been sending family members little crafts. We pick a family member or friend each week and make a special craft for them from her! So fun! Good job on all of your goals!
See we were channeling each other today! I made the mistake of getting a few gel manicures and now my nails are paying the price. Back to at home manis! Packing lunch it is so hard I find once i get good and easily accessible tupperware it makes it easier to pack lunches at night. Love those hand written cards! Definitely made my day and little tear jerker. <3 you!!!
You are rocking your goals so far- I love that you set monthly's to stay on top of everything!
I need to get into my closet and do a bit of a clean-out before I haul out all the spring stuff from storage, that's for sure. I just need to find the time to DO IT!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
water ruins manicures, so use gloves if possible. i know–kinda impossible to avoid. i will get crap for this, but i find the "greener" the polish, the less it lasts, since the "bad" ones have those preservatives. i use them both!
Ok so the train wifi was not cooperating with met this morning! I commented on your blog three times and it never took 🙁 Anyways, I'd say you're doing really well on your goals so far! I need to start drinking the warm lemon water in the morning too. I heard it's got extra benefits with ginger root too. And love the snail mail idea! I'm so bad at sending cards but I'd be better if I had adorable stationary like you do!
<3, Pamela
Sequins & Sea Breezes
You did awesome on your goals. I need to do the one in one out too. My closet is getting so full. The warm lemon water is really good for you. You can totally make those all happen!
I drink a lot of water with lemon at home, but never thought about warm water with lemon. I may have to try that instead in the evenings which I'm sure will help me sleep better too.
As for your nails, nothing is more frustrating than your nails chipping a day or two after painting them. I try to apply 3 coats, and then a top coat which helps but isn't a miracle worker. You can also pick up the Seche Vite top coat which is wonderful 😉
gel manicures KILL my nails! i never get them bc my nails end up super thin 🙁 not cool. good luck on your goals this month! xo jillian – cornflake dreams
Great goals for both months! I'm trying to do the same lunch goal now and have had mixed results, but it's definitely an improvement over how frequently I was buying lunch previously. Also, Chelsea Market is one of my favorite places and I had NO idea they had a cookbook – can't wait to see which recipes you try!
xoxo B | The Sequin Notebook
Totally agree, my nails cannot handle gel manicures!! Even just one does them in! I still get them when going on vacation because they're still worth it haha but the damage is crazy. Good luck with this months goals – I need to start drinking lemon water, too!
Great goals! I need to do better at planning out the blog posts- but I'm doing better with at least a week out! And the unsubscribing of stuff!! Why does it just seem easier to delete daily emails than to click a link!?! Good luck with the month!
Good luck with your goals this month! The best part about not going with the gel manicures is that you can change up your polish a lot more often. I get way too bored with my nail colors after like 2 days so this is always a plus for me 🙂
Blog planning for sure. Makes life so much easier and hitting the social media outlets really does help traffic!
Great goals! Love that planner! I always have to do an email dump and get all that unwanted crap out of in inobx, one because it tempts me to buy more stuff I don't need and two because I hate having an I box full of junk! Good luck girl!
You did so good with your January goals! When it comes to manicures, I've found that painting the edges/tips helps keep them from chipping a little bit. I'm going to follow your lead and start unsubscribing from those emails I never read, especially the ones that are basically just advertising "sales" that I absolutely don't need to be tempted by.
prosecco in the park
Great goals! I need to get better about snail mail… I have all this cute stationery that I don't use as much as I should. And love that planner and your handwriting is so neat! If only I could plan out that many posts, phew! My goal for this month is to write a 15 page paper (gross), pass my OB test, and get back into blogging … Oh and finish my photo book for 2015. I'm so behind!
I love this! You did great with your goals, keep up the good work =) PS I don't know where i would be without my planners, they are life savers.
You're doing great on your goals so far. I still love the snail mail one. I may have to copy that, what's better than getting some fun mail. I started to do the lemon water too recently when I saw all of the benefits – plus, I like the way it tastes 🙂
You are killing it with your goals! My only goal for February is to unpack and make this house a home! It's a little painful to think about unpacking every single box when this is just a rental, and we will be moving again (but who knows how long? 1 year? 2 years?) but I'm determined to hang all of my pictures and make it ours! (Mia's room is already done, check!)
Have you tried shellac? It roughs up the nails a tiny bit, but not nearly as badly as gel! Mine last so long I only do mine every 3 weeks (sometimes 4 if there's a conflict with scheduling)
Nails: Orly Bonder as a base coat and Cyn Vinylux top coat. ( amazon.com/CND-VINYLUX-Creative-Manicure-Lacquer/dp/B00EA5B2VW). Let each coat dry! Always wear gloves to wash dishes and don't use your nails as tools. Even then, polish is meant to be changed every 5-7 days so it will never last as long as gel. But bonus, you get to use more colors.
Great goals!! I love my Plum Paper planner too 🙂 I got gel nails once and loved them but they ruined my nails forever so I haven't done it again. They do look pretty though. Good luck with the spring cleaning!!
Sally Hansen Hard as Nails base coat. Buff out your nail gently (to remove any of the rough patches from the gel removal) then put the base coat on. It'll "curve" your nail just a bit (which makes them harder to break) and will help your polish stay in place. Seche Vite top coat will also help your mani last. Oh, and cuticle oil/lots of lotions throughout the day! As for your goals–I'm SO with you on the plum paper planner. I think I'm sold for life. I'm seriously in love with it. I also think it's time I sit down and unsubscribe from emails. I have an old email address I give out for stuff like that, but I think I'm just going to stop giving an email out in general. Not a fan of all the emails.
I haven't had a gel mani since I traveled to Europe and the one thing I swear by is the Seche Vite top coat. I've also been trying the gel base coat with the green cap. I've been doing the lemon in my water, but haven't tried it in warm water yet! You did such a great job with your January goals, way to go!!
Gotta watch out with the gel manis girl!! I only get them when I'm going on vacation. Have you ever tried the vinylux polish? Nice work on the M & M's though!! I'm looking forward to hearing your review on that DVF book too. I cleaned out my closet a month ago, best thing ever. I'm also not buying any clothes until the spring or summer. So hard with all of the cute stuff at work!! Good luck with the rest of your goals though. You can do it!! 🙂
Great goals! I feel like I'm in a neverending battle with my email – for every five lists I unsubscribe from, I get 10 more it seems. I'm eventually trying to get down to a single digit inbox but it feels like SO much work.
I am going to join you in the warm lemon water goal! I have never heard of it, but it sounds great! My closet is a complete wreck, so maybe when you're done yours you could help me out,bc it sounds like you have a pretty efficient system planned out! xo
oh girl, get to unroll.me to help unsubscribe from all those annoying emails! it's a lifesaver. the milanos comment made me laugh. please say they were the mint ones. and can you eat a few extra for me? thankyou! haha
Nice work on last month's goals! I'm pretty envious of your productivity – it seems like ever since we moved, everything else on my to do list has gotten pushed to the back burner! I definitely need to jump on the hot water and lemon drink trend, and I also am getting ready to clean out my closet. It's time for a fresh start. 🙂
Great job on your January goals! And I just used Christina's tip and went to unroll.me — can't wait to see the difference it makes in my Inbox! I delete SO MANY emails in a day!
xo Southern Style
You did so good on all your goals! I recently used unrollme (I can't remember the link but I Tweeted it last week) to unsubscribe from all my emails and it was SO. EASY. I unsubscribed from like 120 or something crazy like that!!
amemoryofus.com
That planner looks amazing and I wish I had known about it before I bought mine. I can attest to the lemon water mutt skin had been looking great abd I've been on it daily for a week but I was drinking it art least 3 times a week in January. Also they have those hangers at Costco for 9.95 for a 35 pack 🙂
I drink warm lemon water every day and I have to say that it is life changing! That might be a bit dramatic, but it seriously makes me feel so good. Good job with planning out your posts. I've been doing one week at a time, but would like to plan even further ahead. Looking forward to the DVF book review!
Excited to hear your review of the DVF book and look at you planning blog posts! Great job…I've been a major fail lately and have so many started, just need to finish them and post. I hate when I get into these ruts of not being able to blog 🙁
Great Feb goals! I'm in spring cleaning mode as well and just need to get it moved – I have two huge containers of clothes just waiting to be sold =)
Have a great one girl!
You have some great goals! I just wrote my January recap, but was having trouble thinking of things for February. Moving Spring Closet Cleaning to the top of that list.
Girl I think you did great! I LOVE snail mail and I'm also trying to avoid buying lunch so much and packing instead! I've been behind on blogging lately so I hope you're doing fabulous gorgeous! Muah! xo
you did fabulously with your goals.. although i'm the same – i have soooo many photos to organise and i keep putting them off.
i LOVE that planner you have – never thought to use the monthly page for my blog posts, that makes a lot of sense… hmm…
my nails normally chip the day i do them, seriously. ugh. although, on saturday night i painted them using a rimmel cheapie colour, with the orly base thingy and sally hansen clear top coat – and there are ZERO chips on my nails right now, which is unheard of for me. i'm not sure if it was the orly or sally, but i'll take it.
unsubscribing from emails is a task in and of itself ha. but i feel so much better when i get that done! and the warm water with lemon is no joke. I need to get back on that train. it's the best! good list of goals sister! xo
cheshirekatblog.com
I'm impressed with your progress on the January goals…way better than I would have even thought about doing! Nice work, B! I desperately need to unsubscribe from about a million daily (or so it seems) emails…but taking the time to do it…it haunts me like the 400 Europe pics intimidate you! Haha! Hope you're doing great!
You did good girl!!i definitely need to do that unsubscribe to emails and also closet cleaning!! I've actually been planning on making a spare bedroom that just has crap in it to a closet room, butttttt I have yet to even start haha! I just want to snap my fingers and it be done!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
Great job, girl! I cant wait to hear about the DVF book!
I always get jealous when people have their planner looking so neat & clean.. .mine's so scribbled in from writing things last minute 🙂
I had no idea that warm water with lemon had so many benefits! I'm definitely going to be adding this to my daily routine! Thanks for the inspiration! I love your new planner! I just bought a cute striped one from Target and I have high hopes that it will keep me on track and organized!
taffetaandtulips.com
Great job on last months goals! I'm so jealous of organized planner. Mine should be here today but I've never done that good of a job with it! And I totally understand the pictures thing. I had close to 1000 coming home from Rwanda and it took me months to get them all organized! Good luck with February's goals!
I really need to post my goals monthly online for some accountability! I love gel manis but they are so pricey to get them regularly! Let me know if you find something that works with that chipping.
Getting off those stupid email lists is a great one! I could definitely stand to hit 'unsubscribe' from a few.
Sounds like you did a pretty good job! I went a bit crazy with the gel manicures since November and my nails are so beat up. Right now I have no polish on and im trying to let them recover. As for reading, I have found that just ten minutes before bed helps a lot. It seems like just a little bit but over the course of a month thats probably a whole book!
You did well! This month I'm looking to read 2 books, bring lunch to work every day except for every other Friday, nail down a consistent blog schedule, and only go to Starbucks once a week.
Sarah
Sweet Spontaneity
You did do well in January! One of my monthly goals is to read at least one book and I didn't even finish the one I started, buuut I am super close (also the DVF book). I'm so envious you were able to plan out your blog posts for two weeks…this is something I really want to try to accomplish, so thanks for the inspiration! Good Luck with February!
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
Great list! Gel manis are my weakness too – so addicting! And no m&ms… go you! 🙂
I've been doing the warm water with lemon recently (sometimes I add honey too) and definitely would recommend!!
Ugh that closet!!! I want!!! I have been trying to unsubscribe and unfollow emails, accounts, people that I don't read. It has taken months to get that down haha! I have been drinking lemon water every morning for a month now and I can tell all kinds of differences!!! Love that polish color and count me in for dinner 😉
Ohh my gosh, pretty closet! But if I had a closet that pretty I would probably never want to leave it so… 🙂 Great job on your January goals! And you have some awesome ones for February! I need to unsubscribe to some emails too, I get SO many each day that I don't even open!
Umm is that seriously your closet?! AMAZING. You're actually the second person I saw today who mentioned unsubscribing. Hers was for a February Freeze, and you're both right…I spend half my time deleting and the other half opening every sale email EVER, spending unnecessary money!
I love reading these–it motivates me to get my booty off the couch and make some more goals!! I totally need to do the unsubscribe and unfollow emails–its getting out of control ha! But, now M&M's are calling my name 🙂
Tori
FashionBlingGirlyThings
I honestly think no M&M's is the most impressive thing! I'm a total junkie so I really appreciate how hard that is! I love your February goals! I switched from gel to Vinylux after my nails were getting destroyed. It is just like regular polish that is put on and you can take off the same way, but usually lasts a solid 5-7 days. It's only 2-5$ more depending on the salon! I highly recommend!
Love my Plum Paper planner too! I love your goals, especially sending snail mail. Receiving actual mail is one of my favorite things. Except when it's bills. 🙂
I've been bringing my lunch to work most days as well and it's amazing how much money you can save! January flew by, how is it already feb? Hope you're staying warm!
Xoxo,
Karen
http://kensingtonwest.me.uk
I totally need to unsubscribe to emails I don't read. I am terrible at that. I love gel manicures too! I invested in my own gel machine at home, and that has totally paid for itself in what I would have spent getting it done professionally. That's how I can justify it 🙂
madeintheshadeblog.com
Good job on your goals for the month!!! I definitely need a closet clean out and to pack my lunches more!
lovejoanna.com
Great goals! I too need to get a head start on my spring cleaning! Have you heard of Poshmark? it's a great app that helps you sell your old clothes. You should check it out!
You're already way ahead of me for even setting monthly goals. I really need to start unsubscribing from all the email I get too, it's so annoying!
Oh I love this recap. It's a good reminder of the goals you set and what you do accomplish! =)
Can't wait to read what you thought about the DVF book. =)
xo,
nancy
adoretoadorn.com
Great goals for Feb! I never get my nails done, I always do them myself and one thing that I find helps keep them from chipping is to let coats fully dry before going in with the next coat. So if you use base coat, let it fully dry, then go in with polish, let one coat fully dry, etc. And definitely bring the polish over the tips of the nails, that helps too 🙂
You did great with your goals! The Sally Hansen 2-in-1 top/base coat is great for helping nail polish lasting a little longer. I NEED to get my posts organized. You're motivating me on that 🙂
Can't wait to hear about the DVF book!
So awesome that you sell your clothes on eBay… I didn't realize that!! You should totally do a tutorial on that!
I went on a major "unsubscribing" spree last month, it was heavenly haha. Good job on your Jan goals 🙂
I just did away with my gel nails as well. They look so sad and boring but it is a money-guzzler! Loving your goals for Feb and the idea to start spring cleaning!
I love this post so very much I can relate on so many levels I am on a strict no gel kick as well. In addition I find that a great planner that is actually utilized can be life changing!
XO Miss Erin
See what I have to say at:
misserinsays.com
I feel like every day Im unsubscribing from an email I dont read. I really need to get that together in some fashion. I love gel but my nails are still recovering from the last bout so as I said in Amandas post today – Ive been doing at home manis lately!
I definitely need to unsubscribe from emails too! And Im with you on the one thing in, one thing out. I used to be so bad with that! When I run out of hangers and start stealing from the entrance closet is when I know its time to clean my closet.
Great goals! I love that you are unsubscribing from e-mails! Also, you saying the milanos reminds me of that episode of Will & Grace where she talks about having one mint milano an afternoon (know what I'm talking about)? Can't wait to see your closet clean out! I need some inspiration for mine.
Good luck with your goals! I'm going to start the warm lemon water too! I bought the lemons today so I'm starting tomorrow morning.
I love the goal of sending snail mail, I might have to borrow this one for February!
xx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
Great job on your January goals! I love snail mail too! I think writing them out definitely keeps you accountable. I love your February goals too. I need to find more time to read and I should unsubscribe to emails I never read too. Good luck, lady! Thanks for the inspiration!
I love this idea! Such a great way to track some achievable goals. Also a great excuse to write some snail mail. Thanks for sharing doll! 🙂
xo Jen
Skirt The Rules
SECHE VITE. Seriously, your life is about to change! You can get it at CVS – I believe it's $9. First of all, you can apply it literally 2 seconds after putting on the second coat of nail polish. It takes about 10 seconds to dry! Also, it never chips! A word of advice though, since it's such an incredible product, I think it has a ton of chemicals in it. So I recommend opening the window while you apply it (:
– Deniz
dressedupdeniz.com
My new year resolution last year was to unsubscribe to emails that I do not read, and let me tell you it was much harder than I anticipated. First, so many of the companies do not take you off the list when you ask. It was very annoying but a year later, I have almost gotten rid of all the junk in my inbox, LOL.
Great job on your January goals! I'd say you really killed it! I mean, no M&M's is huge! LOL! that planner looks amazing! How organized! I'm curious to hear about if you notice any changes withing drinking that warm lemon water every morning!
i have a list of stuff to do now that i'm off work (woohooo!) and i figure i'll tackle one thing per week….the rest of the time i'll just lounge around or workout because isn't that what you're supposed to do when you're not working?! 😀
Oh my. I've got a ton on my to do list, especially with planning a wedding! Loves the no M&M's!! Ha!
Xo
You did such a good job with the last month! I'm so jealous of how pretty your handwriting is! I need to work on sending more snail mail too- it's such an easy thing that people really appreciate! I can't wait to hear what you think of the warm lemon water! I used to be obsessed with drinking lemon in my (cold) water, but never tried it hot!
I love the snail mail goal… I need to get back into that! A simple card can make anyone's day!
I've been trying to unsubscribe to a lot of e-mails, too. Just b/c the deals suck me in and I don't need to be spending money on stupid things!