February.

Okay, it is the last day of February here is my 2012 monthly resolution check in. A refresher of my new years resolutions:


1. Read more books. Now that I am out of school I can read the books that I never had time for. My goal is two a month.

2. Get outside more. Simple enough I just need to do it.

3. Eat healthier. More veggies. Less soda and junk.

4. Get active again. I need to find a fun way to stay in shape that wont drive me crazy.

5. Spend less money on small things. Spend more money on big things. (like trips!)

and the results...

1. Ugh halfway through the month I actually thought about how I was doing bad on this one, and I still didn't get it done. I read half of catch-22 and less than half of The Orphan Masters Son. I read in-style if that counts for anything.

2. Nope... I think this will be better once we move. I know I know just putting it off. Fact is I didn't do it.

3. Yes! I think I have been doing much better on this one (minus the pizza I had for dinner)

4. I went dancing and danced so long that it hurt to walk for FOUR days, and I have been getting up and doing things around the office at work rather than sitting all day.

5. I went to Kansas yay! I think I have been doing better about this one too.

I can do better! Motivational March is just around the corner, and that is so much better than Failure February. :)

4.

Photo of the day number four.

When it hits nine o'clock and you realize that you have not taken your picture of the day yet be glad that you have such an adorable cat! I know I am. Luckily this handsome boy was cuddling right next to me when I remembered my photo of the day. 

Oh how I love him.

Birthday.

My birthday morning with my birthday bagel.

The only photo I have from the day I turned 24.

Cosmo.

Cosmos and crafts.

This past friday Dan took me out for dinner and I had a few too many cosmopolitans.

Then I decided we NEEDED to go to Michaels.

I bought all of this:

With all of this I created this:

Jewelry storage! 

I don't think I fully utilized the space in the one on the top, so I might be redoing it.

However, I couldn't be happier I was desperately in need of jewelry storage.

3.

Photo of the day number three.

Drinking a house margarita at the Alki El Chupacabra on my weekly tuesday date with Dom.

On an entirely different note please take notice to my messy hair that I have run out of ways to style. I am stuck in a ponytail groove and I can't get out. Any suggestions on fast easy morning ponytailish hair routines would be fantastic. 

2.

Photo of the day number two.

Birthday flowers with a creepy Daniel.

Inspiration.

Sometimes inspiration to create comes from the most random places.

This time it was a book cover.

I saw this book cover and I instantly wanted to make something similar for my wall.

So I did.

I originally wanted to make it as big as the frame but about 15 minutes into cutting paper I settled for a smaller size. I don't like the colors as much as the ones on the book cover,

 but I still think its a fun little piece.

1.

I have decided to try a photo a day for my whole year of 24. We  will see how long I actually make it and how many days I end up skipping. Here is my first photo:

My favorite two boys sleeping away the morning. 

Big canvas print is from Ikea.

23.

Twenty-three was a fantastic year for me.

 

I was able to nanny the most amazing little girl ever. I saw her turn two, and grow up so fast. I couldn't be happier that she is still in my life and I am still able to spend time with her. I just received the most glittery and beautifully painted birthday card from her.

 

I moved in with my boyfriend Dan while I was 23. We currently live in a 3 bedroom apartment in Issaquah with our roomate Courtney. We will be moving in April to West Seattle. Living with Dan has been fantastic I am so glad we decided to do it. The photo above is me driving a huge truck hauling all our furniture. Not going to lie I felt like a badass.

 

I graduated from the University of Washington. I loved my two years at UW. I met one of my most inspiring friends Amber. We spent two years doing independent studies and pushing the limits of making our education our own. We created a webisode series, a video game blog, and tons of crazy memories.

 

I fell in love with fishing. I don't love the part where I have to wake up early but it is worth it to be able to spend time with my Dad and brother doing something that is so much fun.

The summer of my 23rd year I went to Chicago/Grand Rapids to visit my brother. I loved Chicago it was such a fun city. I traveled with Holly and we had such a good time. Our first day in the city we went to Lollapalooza which was overwhelming but overall a great time. It was great to spend the time with my brother and I was so jealous by the way he has decorated his house. I loved it.

 

I went to Kansas (twice). I was able to meet even more of Dan's family the second time we went. I always love our trips to Kansas and I can't wait for our next trip!

 

I got my first big girl job in September. Working 9-5 everyday has been a completely new experience for me. I am so fortunate to be working for a great company with fantastic coworkers!

 

Last but certainly not least, Dan and I added a member to our little family! Nelson is the best little kitty and I can't believe how much I already love him. I have never had a lap cat before and I could snuggle him all day long.

I hope 24 is just as fabulous as 23!

 

 

 

 

Buck.

I wish this was a print so I could put it up in my house.

I laugh everytime I see this.

Favorites.

Sometimes I forget about a the things that make me happy in my everyday life.

This post is a shout out to all of those things.

Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm. I don't even know how many of these I have gone through. I go crazy if I end up leaving this at home. I don't go anywhere without it. Be careful it will melt!

Maybe its because I worked at Thenos Dairy for so long or maybe it is just because they are amazing, but I love glass milk bottles. I have quite a collection from my time at Thenos. I typically use them for coins but I think it is time to get more creative. I think its time to expand my collection!

My flip clock! My lovely brother Jason gave me this clock for Christmas. It is at home in its perfect place on my nightstand right next to my milk bottle. Everyone needs a flip clock.

The New Girl is my new favorite show. I haven't been this entertained by a show in a long time (except for community). I want every outfit that Zooey wears. She is so cute. 

Above all else my Minnetonka Moccasins are my main addiction. I don't even care if they don't match because I will wear them no matter what. The most awful part is that I usually wear them with skinny jeans and socks. So comfortable and so worth it. I want a red pair!

Crave.

I have been craving a shopping spree, but luckily for my wallet everything I have been wanting is out of stock in my size. Here are a few things I have been eyeing.

I love this dress. Modcloth got it today, and It was already out of my size when I looked. I will be watching patiently for its return.

Perfect for work, and summer!

I love this. How cute. I wish I could wear dresses everyday. I need more leggings.

I can't believe that I don't own a polka dot dress.

Kansas.

Every vacation must come to an end.

We had such a fantastic time in Kansas and I seriously cannot wait to go back.

We went out there to surprise Dan's dad for his 60th birthday. He was so shocked to see all of his kids.

The next night he had a surprise birthday at his record store Vinyl Renaissance.

We made these great name tags for the party out of old 45's. What a fun idea!

The Phillips/Grogan gang plus me!

Completely Dan's idea.

Who wouldn't want to party with a life-sized cardboard cut out of themselves?

Everytime we go to Kansas I want to move there. It was actually warmer in Kansas than in Seattle, and the sun was out all weekend. When we came home it was cold and grey. Post vacation blues. However I am inspired to shape my life so it makes me just as happy as vacation.

Boom.

We are on vacation in Kansas.

Here are a few highlights.

More later.

Valentine.

Happy Valentines Day to you all!

I had such a wonderful day thanks to my great boyfriend Daniel.

While sitting at my desk at work a lovely lady came in and delivered me beautiful flowers from Dan.

This is how they arrived.

What makes it even better is I drive by this flower shop twice a week,

 and I always want to go in the store.

It also came with yummy chocolates. Delicious.

When I pulled it out of the box I saw that the vase was a mason jar!

Perfect, perfect, perfect.

I made Dan a fancy card with TONS of scratch tickets inside, 

because he loves them so much.

The awkward cartoon on the front is Dan's new favorite comic.

For dinner we went to Wild Ginger in Bellevue.

What a lovely day!

Oklahoma!

On Friday we went to see Oklahoma the music at the 5th Avenue theater. 

Going to musicals always reminds me that I need to go to musicals more often.

We went out dancing last night, and now I am so sore that I can hardly walk. 

Totally worth it.

World.

I love Fab.com. I ordered a Christmas gift from them, and it came a little later than they said (but still in time for Christmas) so they gave me a $10 credit. They emailed me asking me to do a survey about them and they gave me a $15 dollar credit, and some other time I received another $10 credit. So I've had $35 just sitting in my account just waiting to find something fun to purchase.

Finally, I spotted it. A beautiful blue map of the world. 

 

 So the whole world is mine, and for free!

UPDATE: Where is Antarctica? I guess it's not part of receiving the world for free. Bummer.