A Little Bit of a Check-in on The Resolutions

I thought it would be a good exercise to do a monthly update on the resolutions (here and here to keep myself in check and ensure I’m actually paying some attention to these things I set-out to do at the beginning of the year.

I’ll spare you guys the long-winded intro (for once) and just charge in with my “assessment” of how I’m faring on each goal. Here goes:


#1 Be Lazy – I have to say, this “laziness” initiative may have been my most genius resolution of. all. time. Kidding aside, I’m really proud of how we’ve embraced this goal of doing less. Almost half-way through February (as a side note, can you believe we’re almost half-way through February!?), and I’m still pretty diligent about keeping our calendar sparse. I’ve become far more comfortable with saying, “no” (admittedly not one of my strengths), and all four of us are happier and more relaxed for it. We’ve been more creative, more spontaneous; we cook more, read more, play more… It’s been a bit of a game changer. That said, I do see how easily we (and by “we”, I mean “me”) could fall off the wagon on this one, so I’m being extra-vigilant about it. We’ll see how it goes.

#2 Embrace Effortlessness – I’m not sure I’ve actually done anything specific toward this one…not actively anyway, but I do have this photo from the J. Crew catalog pinned on the inspiration board above my desk because it’s just well... “effortless incarnate”. This is what I’m going for friends. This is it (but with bangs, a smoky eye and a necklace thrown into the mix). In lieu of flowers (and I love flowers), I did ask Bryan for that sweater she’s sporting for Valentine’s Day... so one step forward, yes?

#3 Purchase (Extremely Mindfully) – For the past three years, I've done some period of a spending (or shopping) hiatus as a way to help sort of re-set my consumption habits. Taking a break from acquiring stuff helped me better appreciate what I already owned and re-think why I wanted to buy certain things in the first place. It was a good exercise all around...financially, aesthetically, mentally. But I don't think it was enough. I mentioned when I shared my resolutions that I've made progress on this one, but that I wanted to "master" it (at least as much as I'm capable of "mastering" something). So I thought I needed to switch things up a bit and think bigger than just the hiatus.

Enter "Operation Simplicity."

I've decided to start sharing everything I acquire for the next 12 months. "Acquire" is the key here, as I'm not planning to bore you (that is, those of you that want to come along on this scintillating journey) with all my expendable purchases. I'm not going to post the lattes or the lip gloss or the birthday presents for the girlie's classmates. Those aren't things "staying" in the house. I'm just going to record the stuff...the things that we'll end the year with, the things that I am certain I will have for at least five years.

And since one of my goals is to end the year with less stuff than I started it with, I'll also occasionally offer-up up a few things I'm ready to pass-on for sale... plus there will be some giveaways (It'll be my way of thanking you for keeping me on track).

I'm not going to lie, this whole exercise scares me a bit (more on that below), but I really believe when you put a goal out there, when you invite others to be a part of it, thus feeling some accountability to those people, it will change you. (I shared that same thought earlier this week in relation to my time writing Raising Foodies, but I think it applies here too...)



#4 Get Smart – Though I’ve yet to actually sign up for any sort of “learning opportunity”, I am starting to streamline the things I’m doing so that I can be more focused. To that end, I (somewhat reluctantly) “retired” (for now…note the reluctance) my little food blog. Trying to regularly post there and regularly post here was too much with the other commitments I have (you know that whole family, household, day-job thing). I think it was a good start. I am also actively researching a photography class. Now I just need to enroll.

#5 Practice Gratitude – I'm not nearly doing good enough on this one. This is my official kick in the pants…no idea why it’s so hard to stop each day to be thankful. It’s shameful. I’m pausing right now as I write this to be grateful…hang on. Ok done. That felt good.



#6 Court Fear – I am proud to say that I’m actively perusing three different projects that are scaring me (actually one kind of {and sorry for the vulgarity} scares the shit out of me). The first is the aforementioned “Operation Simplicity”…it scares me to commit to sharing everything I acquire this year. It’s daunting; I’m not going to lie. But I’m going with it. I might share some info on the other two in future “Resolution Updates”, we’ll see ;-)

The Resolutions -- Part II

image via By Its Own Design (from a beautiful book that Honora made!)

Alright, time for the next three of my six 2011 Resolutions... Here goes:


#4 -- Get Smart.

I mentioned in my looking back post that most of last year's worst moments occurred when I wasn't trying hard enough (or trying at all)...when I was well, sort of "phoning it in". It's hard friends, I'm not going to lie -- I feel like I spend most of my time doing three differently things at once, all of them shittily. (I know, I know...but it's a good word, yes?)

So part of the "doing less" this year is an attempt to be better at what I am doing, being smarter, more focused. (I love this article via Abbey about not letting all of the little constant distractions {like that ever pinging blackberry} prevent you from doing the really great things.)

I want to be a better listener (because that's when you're really learning), I want to dive into a few things and get really good at them, I want to "specialize" a little more and "generalize" a little less. I also want to make it a priority to read more. I'm rarely happier than when I'm reading, and I read an abysmal number of books last year...

Here are a four specific goals I hope to meet in 2011 to get my learn on:

• Read 15 books (doesn't seem like a huge number but oh so much bigger than last year's total)
• Finally Learn how to (really) use my camera and seriously hone my photography skills
• Learn Photoshop or Illustrator.
• Become a geography rock star (Every time Audrey asks me where a country is I have to tell her to ask Bryan...sad.)

completely killer bookshelf image via Quiero

#5 -- Practice Gratitude.

I think one of the most genius ideas of 2010 was Chelsea's pact not to complain for a week. So simple and lovely, yet it somehow seemed revolutionary to me. I mean really, do I want to go through life boring people with complaints of how busy/tired/hot (think the entire month of August) I am??

I think, for me, the best way to curb the complaining is to amp-up the gratitude. I want to spend a few minutes of every. single. day. of 2011 pausing in gratitude, reveling in it.

I have a good life. I need to acknowledge that more.

image via my lovely mary ruffle...


#6 -- Court Fear.

So I saved the hardest one for last...

I'm not so much of a risk-taker. I tend to play it safe...almost always. I read this quote on Abby's blog a few months ago, and it's constantly rattling around in my head:

"Any idea that makes us nervous or scared that it won't happen, we know we're onto something"

Usually when an idea makes me nervous or scared I sort of mentally abandon it and go the low-risk route instead. It's sad, (and frankly a little embarrassing to admit) but true. And in the past year, I've met and become friends with several amazing ladies who are risk-takers...they own their own businesses, they jump at new opportunities, they're fearless (or at least they seem fearless, which is important in and of itself). It's inspiring.

I want to court fear more in 2011. And honestly I'm not exactly sure what that means or how to do it, but I'm not scared, so that's something...

Tree Man poster (yes, I am afraid of heights) via the amazing Debbie Carlos...

The Resolutions -- Part I

the magical "Familiar Objects" by Claire Nereim


As promised, today I'll share the first three of my six new year's resolutions for 2011. (I have to say, it feels awfully strange not to have weekend scenes this week.)

Pulling these together really is one of my favorite rituals of the year...and you know January (oddly) might actually be my favorite month. I love the quiet, the organizing and cleaning and sort of readying, the promise of a new year stretched out all shiny and hopeful ahead of us...

I can't help but feel a little buzz in January.


Ok, here goes with part I of the resolutions. I'd love to hear what's on your list this year!

***

#1 -- Be Lazy.

This one isn't as bad as it sounds...I promise. I'm not planning to shirk responsibilities or lounge about watching trash television. Rather, the idea/hope is to do less, in fact to sometimes do, well, nothing, to avoid the temptation to fill all the empty spaces in our calendar with plans and projects, to sit around and daydream more.

I'm a pretty social person. I could have friends over or go do something almost every day of the week. I'm also a planner. I like a plan, I can't help it. My hubby on the other hand... is not. He likes huge stretches of alone time. Don't get me wrong, he likes people, he just doesn't feel the need to be around them non-stop... And the girlies are pretty social little creatures, but they're kids, so they need a hefty dose of downtime (certainly more than I've been giving them).

We reached a "need for downtime" tipping point late last month when all four of us seemed to be walking around with a sort of permanent glazed look in our eyes. We were all irritable and snappish. I had become an over-scheduler extraordinaire, and there was something on the calendar for us pretty much every day in December. It was a majorly bad scene friends. But truthfully, (and sadly) it probably had to reach that point for me to change my over scheduling ways; I needed the wake-up call.

So 2011 will be the year of doing less, chilling out, and daydreaming...because really, it's when you're busy doing nothing that all the magic happens.

#2 -- Embrace Effortlessness.

It started with the bangs...the bangs that will give me an additional three days this year to do nothing.

The bangs have made me (wait for it) low-maintenance. I'm not even sure that the bangs are my best look, but no matter, I'm keeping them. Forever. My hair has never, ever been easier to do. I can wake up, brush it, and go.

A little background: I spent the better part of 2010 wielding a curling iron in an attempt to replicate my "dream hair"...it took a lot of time, and made my hair a bit of a fried mess, so the bangs are a total game-changer. I feel so footloose and fancy free.

So my second resolution is to find other ways this year to embrace effortlessness, to streamline, to be (as Michelle geniusly coined it) "low-fi".

I think the coolest girls have this down pat.

the lovely francoise hardy...effortlessly rockin' the bangs.

a totally "low-fi" Sally Singer via into the gloss, which I *might* be a leeetle bit addicted to...

#3 -- Purchase (extremely) Mindfully.

This one makes the list every year, but I can't help it, I want to master it. I want to be ruthlessly discerning and smart and yes, mindful in every. single. thing. I purchase this year. All of it...clothes, things for the house, stuff for the girls, even with what I buy at the grocery store.

I have this quote (copied off a postcard from the Portland shop, Canoe) pinned above my desk. I think it's a good litmus test for deciding if I should make a purchase...

"How many things have you purchased this year that will become valued possessions? How many things will you soon discard?"

I also love this article found on Zen Habits...I'm going to really try to use the list of parameters in the piece as my guiding principal for how I make all my purchasing decisions.

I want to only buy things this year that I could see myself (truly) owning forever...

image via a lovely being...

image via Primoeza...

Some Looking Back...

I’ve spent quite a bit of time thinking about my goals/resolutions for the new year.

I’m a resolution gal, I can’t help it... I like the rituals that mark the passing of time. I also like the idea of self-examination (maybe a little too much). So in thinking about what I want 2011 to look like (understanding of course that like most years, despite my trying, it will likely just do its own thing), I thought it would be good to start by checking in on 2010.

I re-read old blog posts fairly frequently, but in the almost four(!) years that I’ve had this blog, I’ve never gone back and read an entire year of posts in order. Suffice to say (especially if you're long winded like me) it takes some time, but I would highly recommend it, as it was incredibly enlightening and therapeutic.

Here are some of the stand-out moments (for me) of the past year:

***

1. Museums (but then again, for me, a good year always involves copious museum visits)...

2. California with Audrey...and meeting Baby Josie.




3. A french fête...and a cowgirl one too.




4. A "first-time" photo shoot...



5. And "the summer of self-improvement"...







6. Experiencing NYC through Audrey's (totally awe-struck, gobsmacked) eyes...

7. Austin getaways and magical hotels and 10-year anniversaries...

8. Meeting a slew of amazing women at Alt...

9. A blissful week at the beach...

10. Surprise "staycations" for the girlies...

11. And snow...lots of snow. (Or at least lots more than we're accustomed to.)

12. Meyer lemons and strawberries and tomatoes...

13. and teepees...

14. Decorating projects (for other people and for ourselves)...

16. Dark nails and life changing bangs... (More on that later.)

17. And of course, roller coasters with Audrey (on the hottest day of the year).

Now here’s the thing, if you had asked me a couple of weeks ago how 2010 was, I would have likely said, it was “ok”… I might even have said it was “rough”, as for a couple of months there toward the end, well, it was. For lack of a more eloquent turn of phrase, I was getting my butt kicked... a lot.

But after taking the time to go back and look at the year honestly, to pause in gratitude for all the new opportunities and adventures and chances to stretch myself, all of the sudden the butt kicking seemed less dire. I could put it in perspective. The truth is, most of the year's worst moments occured when I wasn't trying hard enough (or trying at all) or when I was focusing on the wrong things or placing too much importance on a not very important situation.

In other words, there was a lesson in the butt kicking. But isn't there always?

Now that I've done my "looking back", in a twist up of my normal "schedule" (see, again with the chill), I'm going to post my 2011 resolutions/goals in two parts on Monday and Tuesday of next week. (I know you're waiting with bated breath.) But what's a blog without a bit of good old fashioned navel gazing, yes? ;-)

Have a splendid weekend friends!!

Resolutions

image by photographer elisabeth aarhus via emma

In coming up with my 2010 resolutions, I went back and took a peek at my 2009 resolutions + all my other various lists of things I wanted to accomplish last year (i.e. my birthday list, the fall list, our "new normal" list.) Just as important as seeing what I accomplished (and what I failed miserably at) was taking note of the things I did that I hadn’t actually planned to do…you know in the spirit of the whole “life is what happens when you’re busy making plans” and all.

While I still haven’t roasted a chicken, regularly committed to yoga or learned to sew, I have pretty much completely eschewed plastic bags and paper towels (which frankly I thought would be the biggest challenge on the list), I’m a total rock star about taking my vitamins and we take the girlies to the Nasher, and the Dallas Museum of Art regularly. Let's call it about a 50% success rate, ok?

And in the “unplanned” column, in 2009 I managed to start a food blog, write my first ever published article and start a little online shop….all totally unplanned and unexpected at the beginning of the year.

So this year I've decided to create "squishy" resolutions, to focus on creating space for more of those unexpected things to just...well... happen. More time for dreaming, for playing, for imagining. To steal from my friend Molly, I'm going to take time for the magic, and to go back to something that continues to be on my mind, to be a more “mellow” parent.

Now here's where I get a bit lazy. Rather than drum up a whole new list solely for the sake of originality, I've decided to modify some of the goals from last year that still feel relevant (many pulled from this list) to become my 2010 resolutions -- my mantra or mission statement if you will.

Here goes...

• Buy less stuff and, when I do buy, save up for things I truly love.
  
• Eat out less and cook more good, local, whole food.
  
• Say "yes" to more new experiences and "no" to more things I feel like I have to do.
  
• Support (ideally local) businesses and organizations we believe in (the arts, education, farmer’s markets)
  
• Spend even more time ingraining in the girlies the value of service, creativity, imagination and kindness, emphasizing how lucky we are and how quickly life can change…

Now if squishy goals aren’t your thing and you want to see 13 more tangible things I’d like to do this year, take a peek at my other list over on Mother Huddle. It includes such aspirations as painting my nails red and buying tennis shoes (because I currently don’t own any.) Pretty exciting stuff!

So what do you have planned for the coming year? Goals….resolutions…Do share, I’d love to hear!

Bringing the Magic Back…

In this age of sanitized, soulless, florescent-lit big box toy stores, this is the kind of store I long for…

In fact, I might even go as far as to say this store (and this is odd, I realize, as it is just a store after all) pretty much represents how I want my girlie’s childhoods to feel... all magic and whimsy and interesting discoveries.

images via remodelista

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about what my girls will remember when they look back on their younger years…

Will they think them magical? Filled with unusual, interesting, experiences? Will they think they had enough time to play, to let their imaginations run for hours at a time, uninterrupted by the necessary (in an adult’s world) tasks of life?

Or will they just remember that we seemed to be perpetually late… to everything?

Rushing and late.

Lynne recently posted a link to this excellent Time Magazine article about parenting, reiterating the (immense) importance of play in our kiddos over scheduled, over-anxiety ridden little lives. Reading it was a good reset for me…a reminder of how I want to parent + (equally important) what I want to avoid.

I’m thinking I’m going to dub 2010 the year of mellow parenting. I want to bring the magic back for my girls.