Swan song: 2016 resolutions

They say some of the most stressful events in life are getting married, moving, and starting a new job. We did all three in six months.

On top of that, I lost two grandparents, started traveling for work, and adopted a puppy. It’s safe to say that 2015 kicked my ass, but it was worth the fight.

This quote from the band States can sum up my 2015:

That’s why for this coming year my personal mantra is “back to basics.” I lost my way a little this year, but I’m going to get back on track.

I listened to the Leave Your Mark audiobook by my unofficial mentor, Aliza Licht, and one of the most important takeaways was probably something she didn’t intend: Although our culture glorifies entrepreneurism and the #girlboss, there’s a lot to be said for those who invest their extra energy into advancing in their day jobs. Her story alone is inspiring. She started as a pre-med student from Long Island, and has built an empire on her work ethic and social savvy while climbing the career ladder. That’s why my 2016 includes shutting down this little side hustle, investing in my career, and spending more time with my husband & our fur baby.

But I also have some more specific goals. Here are my three new year’s resolutions for 2016:

1. Become debt-free: 2016 will be the year I become debt-free. Luckily we didn’t go into any debt for our wedding or our move because we paid for everything in cash, but I’m still carrying around car payments and student loans. The quicker I pay those off, the more money I can add to our savings account each month.
2. Send more love letters: Okay, maybe not literally love letters, but I believe in the power of snail mail. This year I was also inspired by Hannah Brencher and her mission to help strangers with greeting cards and love notes. (Watch her TED talk here.) I’m taking baby steps. My goal for 2016 is to send all of my besties a physical birthday card, rather than just a text or Facebook post.
3. Actually read the books on my shelf: I am hereby placing myself on a book ban. I cannot buy any more books until I read all of the ones I currently have. I think the perfect time to start will be on our two-week Christmas break.

Thanks for everyone’s support over the past two years – it’s been a fun trip! Please keep in touch ❤️

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Current views: December

I, for one, am so glad that my travel season is over. I needed this time at home to heal & recharge. Only eight more work days left until our very extended Christmas break. Because of the way our holiday schedules and PTO worked out, we’re able to take off a full two weeks. Next weekend we’ll be piling in the car with Rufio and making the 12-hour trek up to New York and we can’t wait to see our families & friends. They haven’t met Rufio yet!

I am a little nervous about taking our puppy on a 12-hour car trip (he doesn’t like the car very much) but I discovered these Blue Tranquility treats and I figure they’re worth a try. Anyone else have tips or tricks for surviving a long car ride with pets?

I will say, I don’t miss December in upstate New York. It is GORGEOUS here in Charlotte – the sky is actually blue! I’m wishing for a white Christmas, but after that I’ll be happy to come back home to the south ❤️

Here’s what we’ve been up to this past month:

Celebrating this little mama-to-be at her baby shower in the 518

#GIRLBOSS gift guide

Call me old fashioned, but I love practical gifts. Something that will bring joy to the recipient every day. That’s why some of my favorite gifts to give and receive are pretty candles and fun mugs. There’s something luxurious about lighting a candle in the evening, and I love having brightly-colored mugs to wake up my morning cups of tea. I’m not a fan of saving something for ‘special occasions’ – I believe that we should indulge a little each day. Gifts don’t need to be expensive (everything on this list is under $30), but they can help make our days a little fancier.

5 people to thank in your professional life

As we gather around the table this Thursday and eat into a turkey, mashed potato, and gravy coma, we’ll undoubtedly take a moment to reflect on the basics that we’re thankful for: family, friends, food, and good health, to name a few. But even though the focus of the season is on our home lives, it’s important to give thanks to the key people in our professional lives, too.

Take a few hours over the 4-day weekend to reflect on the past year, put together a list, and start writing out little notes of gratitude.

Tip: You’ll want to get these notes in the mail by the second week of December at the latest in order to reach people before they head out for the holidays.

Good finds

Adorable onesie cookies at my sister-in-law’s baby shower

Even though Thanksgiving is still a week away, I’m in full-on holiday mode. We’ve already watched two Christmas movies on Netflix, our Christmas cards have been ordered, delivered, and are waiting on our island with stamps, and I’ve already started preparing our Christmas music playlist for our 12-hour drive up to New York. I’m in the holiday spirit, and I can’t be stopped. But I’m still looking forward to turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Gobble gobble!

Here are five good finds from this past week:

1. Blooming apple pie with maple butter glaze: If you want to be an overachiever and win the dessert table this Thanksgiving, try your hand at this beautiful apple pie. If you do, send me a picture. I’ll be super impressed/jealous of your baking skills.
2. Will red lipstick kill or kickstart your career? Aliza Licht (DKNY PR Girl) is known for her signature red lips and nails. Do you rock red at the office? Personally, I save red lips for the weekends, but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect the women who wear it to meetings!
3. 14 healthy breakfast hacks flight attendants swear by: These plane-friendly meals will save me on my next trip for work. They certainly beat my typical breakfast of flavored water and a pop-tarts pack that I pick up in the news store at the airport along with a copy of Marie Claire. I’m too ashamed of this meal to even put it on an expense report.
4. Tips for decorating a small space for the holidays: In my mind, it’s already Christmas, and MPR & I never skimp on the decorations even though we’ve only lived in 650 square feet for the past three years. This article gave me even MORE ideas to up the holiday cheer in our apartment.
5. 11 differences between busy people and productive people: You know those people who are always overwhelmed and literally running down the halls of your office? Here’s how to not become one of them.

Enjoy!

Current views: November

I often forget how close we are to Thanksgiving and Christmas because I’m still able to walk Rufio wearing a light jacket. These pretty 70-degree days are definitely throwing off my internal clock. Speaking of Rufio, I feel like we’ve really turned a corner with him in terms of training – he slept through the night for the first time, he’s eating more, and we taught him how to sit and lay down 🙂 This month also marked the first time I had to leave him to go on a business trip, and I worried about my little baby. Good thing our dog walker texts photo updates every day!

This year, we’ll be staying down south for Thanksgiving and having a “Friends-giving,” and I’m looking forward to the 4-day weekend to relax and cheer on the Panthers with my two boys. However, we’re already counting down to Christmas (I may or may not have started perusing the Christmas movies on Netflix) when we’ll be heading home to New York.

Here’s what we’ve been up to this past month:

My new nameplate at work–current theme is favorite movies. “It’s a Chinese Crested!”

Good finds

Lately, I am a traveling machine. This past week I was in Dallas for a client event, and this week I’m heading home for my sister-in-law’s baby shower and a family visit. I’m definitely tired, but the upside is that I’m a pro at airports now. Plus I’m glad I get to visit my family in November while avoiding the crazy Thanksgiving travel congestion. I don’t know about all of you, but I’m looking forward to closing out 2015 and starting fresh in 2016. This has been one crazy year.

P.S. Exactly one year ago this weekend was my bridal shower & bachelorette party – time flies!

Here are 5 good finds from the past week:

1. How to Ace Your Side Hustle: The Ultimate Guide: Side hustles have been all the rage in 2015. Here’s everything you need to know about starting yours and using it to supplement your income.
2. The Do’s and Don’ts for Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner: I don’t know about you, but we’ve never cooked our own Thanksgiving dinner before. I’ll be perusing this little guide for a smooth Friendsgiving.
3. 7 Things You Should Do *Now* to Fend Off Holiday Debt: Holiday marketing is already in full force! I’m so excited to start buying gifts for everyone on our list; however, it’s never worth going into debt buying presents. This article has seven ways to save some green this season.
4. 5 Ways to Be Memorable in 30 Seconds or Less: While wedding planning, MPR used to tease me because our vendors never remembered/recognized me if I was by myself, they only knew us as a couple. Needless to say, I got a little self conscious that I was forgettable 😦 This article has great tips to make sure no one ever forgets you again!
5. Maison Jules Long-Sleeve Heart-Print Sweater: I’m obsessed with this sweater! So adorable and perfect for holiday gatherings 🎄☃️

Enjoy!

Tote-ally spoiled

I never thought I would be one of those girls who carries around her dog in a large purse a la Paris Hilton, but life is full of surprises and here we are. Rufio is not the best walker yet, nor has he gotten all of his vaccines, so I decided to buy this Lands End Canvas Tote Pet Carrier for when we’re walking around town. I also think it will come in handy when we travel home for the holidays.

Good finds

R is for Ryan & Rufio

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. I think it’s a combination of the crisp fall weather, scary movies on TV, and all the candy! This year was a little low key for us. We didn’t dress up (although we did dress up Rufio as Rufio), but we carved a pumpkin, baked pumpkin spice cookies, and hung out with new friends. It was a nice farewell to my favorite month, and now that it’s November I’m excited for my upcoming trip home for my sister-in-law’s baby shower and our trip to Long Island and Albany for Christmas and New Year’s. We even started our holiday shopping already! How many days until I can put up our Christmas tree again? In the meantime, here’s five good finds from the past week:

1. How to Write a Novel and Keep Your Day Job: Here’s a good read for anyone who dreams of publishing a novel (apparently 60% of us do). If the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Fellow at the Washington think tank, the Center for Global Development, can do it – so can you!
2. QUIZ: Which nostalgic pop punk song are you?: I got “My Friends Over You” by New Found Glory. Best. Quiz. Ever. Thanks Alt Press!
3. Zak George’s Dog Training rEvolution: I found these amazing free dog training videos on YouTube that have been SO helpful with Rufio. These videos can replace puppy training classes, which keeps a few extra dollars in our pockets. (thumbs up!)
4. How Kate Hudson Became the Ultimate Role Model: The easiest way to describe my favorite genre of movies is, Kate Hudson Movies. I love everything she’s been in, from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, to Raising Helen, to The Skeleton Key. She may not be known for her acting, but her sunshine-y personality is contagious. In this article she gives advice to career girls.
5. The 15 Classic Pieces Every Woman Needs in her Wardrobe: Quality classics > large quantities of fast fashion. Add to shopping list – cashmere sweater, nude pumps, and jean jacket.

Enjoy!

10 things every confident woman has

An article I often refer back to is 8 things every happy woman should have on Thought Catalog. Not because I’m questioning my happiness, but because it’s kind of fun to check back periodically and see if/how my answers have changed.

While the article states that “happy” women have these 8 simple things, I think that it has more to do with confidence and self-assurance. It’s describing women who know who they are and what they like. I believe that once you have this down, you exude confidence, and confidence translates to happiness and contentment.

So I decided to make my own version of this list and fill in my answers. Feel free to share your answers in the comments below!