Bring It On, 2012!

My New Year’s Resolution usually involves vowing to eat better and exercise, cook more often, save money, etc. The good news is that I have been doing all of these things already. The eating better and exercising can stand to improve, but I’m happy to say that I’ve been very good about my spending and have managed to make a dent in my credit card debt.

When I started to think about my goals for 2012, I came across this post by Seth Godin, I LOVE him:

You can't be merry by yourself. Sure, you can be content, happy, possibly even delirious. But merriment requires a group, and that group is almost always a group you can see and touch, one that's sharing the same molecules of air, face to face.

The digital revolution continues to get deeper, wider and more important. But it has made no progress at all at increasing merriment. That's up to us.

In reflecting on the last year, I realized that while accomplishing a fuck load of personal goals that have improved my life, I ignored almost all of my friendships and family relationships. I was very busy with my job, and my professional career has improved by leaps and bounds. I started working another job on the weekends, which has helped me slowly begin to see the light at the end of my debt tunnel.

However, being so busy you can’t make connections with others is depressing. Now, my busyness level is not in any way going to decrease in the near future, so that means I need to make more of an effort to connect with the people I love, and strive to be MERRY. After all, why should merriment be reserved only for the holidays?

What does this mean for me? It means sending more emails, sending more texts, actually picking up the phone and saying things that make me uncomfortable – “I love you, I miss you, can we please go do that crazy thing we’ve always wanted to do.” In this world where we are hyper-connected at all times, we often find ourselves even lonelier than before. Why call a friend when you can just check their fb profile or follow them on twitter? Why send an email when everyone gets SO MUCH email?

The answer is because bottom line – life doesn’t mean anything if you don’t have others to share it with. To my small handful of readers, thank you for continuing to follow my blog and let me share snapshots of my life with you. I hope we all go into 2012 with hopes and dreams, and that we accomplish them. Speaking of those hopes and dreams and resolutions, what are yours? Please drop me a line in the comments section. I would love to hear them!

With love,

♥LJ♥

Gossip Girl Style + Outfit Photos

Source: Uploaded by user via Lara on Pinterest Source: louissedavid.tumblr.com via Macauley on Pinterest

I have visions in my head that at some point in my life, I will be as stylish as New York's Upper East Siders. Until that point, I will have to settle on getting creative with my limited wardrobe! 

I wanted to start posting some outfit photos, to show everyone that it's possible to look age-appropriately professional and cute at the same time. I'm not gonna say I would make Tim Gunn proud, but I do think I am beginning to learn how to "make it work!"

I need to figure out a better way to take photos, and should probably really use an actual camera instead of my iphone, but this is better than nothing:

So, my dirty little secret is that I shop at Sears a lot. But, they totes have nice stuff sometimes! I wasn't into the Kardashian line, a little too dominatrix meets sequins for me, but I digress. The key with clothing from Sears is to make sure it passes the old lady test. If it does, than you're golden. 

Peace, love, & no mom jeans,

♥LJ♥

Putting an End to Flaky Blogging

So thanks to some dear friends of mine, Erin and Rachel, I've decided that there ARE a handful of people that read my blog - and they deserve to have new content! Ask and you shall receive, my friends. And no more flaky blogging, I promise!

I am struggling with some things lately, like BIG things that suck balls. Life is never easy, and the grass is also greener, etc., etc., but god dammit, sometimes it would be nice to catch a fucking break!

Due to these problems, I have found myself in a life force sucking energy place that is the actual worst. I hate being here, and I hate feeling guilty for having some shred of happy feelings amid all the suck. I am happy to report that I've got some fabulous pillars of support, and great mentors in my life that are showing me you can really achieve all you want to, despite where you come from and despite your family.

I know blogs are all supposed to be witty and funny and happy and shiny (at least that's what I hope for mine), but right now it's tough to deliver. That doesn't mean I shouldn't post, because the whole point of this thing to be a little bit real, right??

Anyway, when I get to a point where I am more comfortable, I will explain more about the troubles, but for now here is a collage of my life the past few weeks:

I know it might be a little bit hard to see, but yes, that is an LED light up bow tie I was required to wear at one of my catering gigs. I was actually sad I didn't get to keep it! From the top left corner: fabric lampshade I made, awesome craigslist desk and repainted wall, succulent planter my friend gave to me, twinkle lights that make me happy, failed chevron cabinet (I hated the colors so I painted over it) glitter nails for Thanksgiving, aforementioned bowtie, turquoise IKEA spice racks, jello shots at bow tie gig (they were delish), rosemary tree, my felt ornaments, pretty fall colors, gorgeous scarf my boss gave me, and sibling love. 

So, even with all my complaints, at least moments in my life have been sweet, and there is still so much to be thankful for. Happy everything to everyone, and all my love to you! 

Xoxo,

♥LJ♥