7 goals for a joyful 2016

I haven't posted on my blog in quite awhile (like... um, years.) Work keeps me busy, exhausted & distracted.

I'm excited to start a new year, regardless if it's just another month, another day just like the last! I'm making some goals for the new year ahead. I've been throwing them around in my head for weeks now. I can't really expect to make changes if I don't actually put them into words though. Right?

Some of my goals are literal... some are more abstract. This is the first year I've had "resolutions" and I'm actually excited for all the possibilities.

1. Blog More
Seems obvious considering I'm here. I just overall want to share more. Anything creative will do. I feel like when I'm not sharing and creating, life is simply passing me by and I can't just accept that anymore.

I also don't want to be afraid to share more. I'm crippled by my fear of losing privacy. I want to fear less and live more. To do that, I must share more. I have to push myself to put more to into the universe.

I also want to distract myself. I have a lot of stressors in my life and blogging/sharing my life outside of work is certainly going to distract me so I can nurture myself to complete the following goals...

2. Eat better. Lose weight. Drink more water.
Etc. Etc.

3. Lead with positivity.
This one is going to be a struggle. I am absolutely surrounded by negativity. From work, to friends, to dealing with people in public... It's rough out there.

I'm going to surround myself with people who are positive. I'm going to lead with a positive foot. I'm also going to read and learn how to be a more positive being. We're all students in life and I'm hoping to enroll in a 400 level Positivity course over the year.

4. Be more financially responsible. 
Self explanatory.

5. Take more video.
I feel like I want to start doing this every year. I did pretty well last year, let's see if I can keep it up.

This also corresponds to #1.

6. Edit my life.
Similar to #3, take people out who don't need to be there. Take negativity out that doesn't need to be there. Get rid of things I don't use. Live more simply overall.

This also coincides with #4 because to live more simply, I will have to want less, thus, spend less.

7. Start creating my happiness.
2015 just wasn't a happy year for me. No matter how I sliced it, there were setbacks and I was dissatisfied. It's also interesting because I was keenly aware of what in my life was making me happy (and I am forever grateful for those things, never taking advantage), yet the force of what was making me unhappy was much more powerful.

This goal is probably the most abstract and quite frankly, the one I have no idea how to start achieving. I'll have to learn along the way. It's going to be a conscience effort on my part to seek the happiness against the daily struggles. I'm not saying I need to look at the "silver lining" or look for the positive in a pile of crap, but to inherently find the happiness outside the pile of crap so that force will yield power much stronger than the pile of crap.

I don't want dead ends. I want boundless possibilities, happiness and joy.

Maybe that's all I want: joy.

2016 is going to be the year of seeking joy in life, money, body, adventures. Just joy.

<3


I'm excited to be here & I'm excited to make 2016 a good year, even if it's just another year, month, day.

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Russian Friendship Tea

I know this is a Christmas gift idea, and we find ourselves after Christmas... But, these were surprises, so I couldn't post this before Christmas! Tuck this idea away for next year....

This is one of my favorite little holiday drinks, the flavor is just so festive and comforting. It's called Russian Friendship Tea. I don't think it's Russian in origin, but it's certainly warming and delicious and it sure gets cold in Russia! HA!

I painted little matryoshka dolls on some jars with Martha Stewart multi-surface paint. The painting was tedious, a bit more difficult than I expected, but the outcome was so sweet and great, it was worth it.

I borrowed the tea recipe from a couple sites (HERE and HERE) but altered it a bit...

Russian Friendship Tea

1 Cup Tang

1 Cup Sugar

1 Cup Instant Tea Powder (I used Lipton, non-sweetened)

1/2 Cup Instant Lemonade Powder

1/2 TBSP cinnamon

1 tsp All Spice

Wilton Cinnamon Drops to your liking (they dissolve and add color to the mixture)

Sprinkle of nutmeg

To MAKE: 2-3 TBSPs mixture to 1 Cup hot water!

How stinking cute did they turn out?! The jars make for great Russian-vodka mixed drink holders post-Christmas!

5 Easy Tips to Begin Your Job Search

I'm here in the middle of a massive job search.

Freshly done with school and beginning to start my career.

It's scary & intimidating & overwhelming.

I've learned some things though, and I want to share some simple tricks I've learned and would love for you share yours in the comment section.

Finding a new job is hard, let's help each other make it a little easier.

1. Print & Iron

I like to keep a stack of freshly updated resumes on resume paper in a go-to folder for those last minute job interviews. I also like to make sure I always have that perfect interview outfit cleaned, ironed and ready! Last-minute job interviews are more common than you think, be ready to GO on one as soon as you can!

2. Early Bird Gets the Interview

Get up early! Be ready for that 9 AM phone call. It's all about being prepared. It's not vacation time!

3. Apply Now!

See a job that you're qualified for? Apply NOW! Don't wait! I've had a handful of times where I did wait... and the job was taken off the job board. It's important to apply ASAP.

4. Beautify That Cover Letter

I always, always, always personalize each cover letter for each job I'm applying for and spend time creating the perfect one every time. It's worth it!

5. "Hey! I Need a Job!"

Tell EVERYONE you're looking for a new job. 

I do! I told someone I had just met I was looking for a job and SURPRISE! She ended up being a recruiter for a company and forwarded my resume! 

It pays off to tell everyone and anyone you're looking. It can work in your favor.

Finding a new job is a process, it's not easy. Hopefully, with small adjustments to your plan can get you that interview and new opportunity.

What are some tips you can suggest for job searching?

Leave them below, I'd love to know!

We're all in this together.

Be My Pippa!

I got married in March of this year. Pinterest was a huge help to discovering new ideas and being inspired to create my own! During the wedding-planning process I felt like starting a blog but didn't for lack of time and just because I wanted to keep an element of surprise for guests... So, here I am exactly 6 months later and ready to share my wedding planning tips and ideas! 

FIRST wedding idea!

My best ideas come to me in dreams, like as I'm dozing off to sleep or immediately upon waking up- and that's exactly how I thought of this idea for asking my MOH and only bridesmaid to be my attendant- Be My Pippa?

I asked her less than a year after the Royal Wedding, so the Pippa phenomena was fresh. Kate Middleton had one attendant & so did I! Keep it simple, intimate & classy.

I asked with gluten free cupcakes (my Pippa is gluten free) delivered by Sprinkles cupcakes in Huntington Beach, CA. Their website makes it super easy to set-up delivery from across the country. So, I surprised her at work. I customized with letter toppers: BE MY PIPPA! Then I created a funny little card to accompany them with our faces Photoshopped on a Royal Wedding photo. Hilarious!

Of course she said yes!