November & December Progress Toward Goals and Results!

Happy New Year!

WOW - Can you believe it's already 2015?!?!  I spent NYE sick on the couch, talk about feeling crummy!  I still don't have my taste buds back yet which I really miss, my sweet husband had bought be a bottle of pink champagne for the celebration but I couldn't even enjoy it with him.  Hopefully I'm on the upswing now though!  I think I must have picked up some germs from my cute niece and nephew last week when we were in WV for Christmas.  This year we did our traveling a little different - we traveled via Air Gray - Adam flew us from destination to destination!  That meant several things:  I had to really plan who was getting what gifts because space is limited (esp for 2 families and lots of kids), less clothing options, less driving time and more time with our families!  We left on the 19th and flew to West Bloomfield, MI and were with Adam's family until Monday and then headed to Bluefield, WV to spend Christmas with my family this year.  We got to be there until Saturday the 27th and then had to come back to TN a day early because the weather was turning bad.  We did get to make a surprise trip with Abbie and some of my family to Biltmore for the day on the day after Christmas and that was a ton of fun.  She was so surprised and it was her first time to fly too.  We had great weather for our day trip.  

As the year wraps up, so does my personal goal challenge for the year!  I'm behind on posting November so I'm going to do both months and then the results! 

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER

1.  Only buy the absolute necessary toiletries/cosmetics/etc

I was bad in November due to the Black Friday deals.... and Sephora had a big 20% off sale.  I did buy things I knew I would repurchase soon anyway so nothing new per say.  

December I was more on track and more focused on holiday shopping! 

I did use up quite a bit of products over the course of these 2 months.  

• Lancome Blush in Miel Glace - I think this is a great color and would possible repurchase
• Lancome eyelash primer
• 2 Clinique mascaras
• 2 Bamboo pink lipsticks
• Victoria's Secret Hand Cream (This is from college!!!)
• Raspberry Sorbet body wash.. will not repurchase
• Paris body wash from Bath and Body Works - really like this scent but ready for change!
• Laura Mercier flawless skin cleansing oil make up remover - I think this is a great product but I found the bottle to be very messy.  The oil leaks all over the counter and I would not ever take this with me when traveling.  Would not repurchase because of those issues.
• Glitter black Sephora eyeliner - an ok product but not blown away
• Tarte lipgloss - not my fav shade
• Travel size Keratin Suave shampoo - again, not blown away
• Pantene hairspray that lasted forever
• Mary Kay black eyeliner - not repu

2.  No more magazine subscriptions (unless they are free).  My goal is to finish reading the backlog  of magazines in the living room and then start on my actual book collection!  My goal is 1-2 books per month.  

November was a light reading month!  Two magazines and two books - Allegiant (HATED the ending!!!) on Audible and The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks - such a sweet book, can't wait to see the movie here in a few months!

December was the month of the magazines.  

 3.  At least one blog entry a week. 

I did 2 posts for November and only 1 in December!

 

4.  Use the elliptical that's literally just  accumulating spider webs in the basement -- get in 20-30 minutes a day on the elliptical and walk Henderson 1-2 times  a week.

January - 56.53 miles 

February - 64.57 miles 

March - 62.27 miles

April - 46.23 miles

May - 68.84 miles 

June - 61.61 miles

July - 65.74 miles

August - 92.91 miles 

September - 44.36 miles 

October - 57.13 miles 

November - 45.41 miles

December - 39.78 miles

   

 5.  Less eating out at work.  My goal is to only eat out 2-3 times a week.  

Doing great with this one!

6.  Since I beat my scrapbook page goal for 2013, I think I am going to go with ... 300 pages for 2014.

Working my way through Memorial Day 2011 and also did some work with Mom and Grandma on her scrapbook/family history project while they were down for Thanksgiving!
52 total pages for November.

Time was super limited in December with the focus on holidays and a lot going on at work.  I did finish up my big Memorial Day trip to NYC and ended the year with June 2011 complete.  30 total pages for December.  

RESULTS FOR 2014

1.  I think I was more aware of what I was buying this year and it allowed me to focus more on using up a lot of the items I've purchased. 
   
Would repurchase -

• Nuetrogena oil-free eye makeup remover
• Purity facewash by Philosophy  
• Vaseline aloe fresh hydrating lotion
• 2 Paris Amour Bath & Body Works Shower Gel
• Quiver Layers bodywash by Scentsy
• 5 Bamboo Pink Long Last Clinique Lipstick
• Sephora's brand lipstick in the shade "Star" S06. 
• Tarte Lip Surgence in Glitzy
• Tarte Lip Surgence in Pink
• Blistex Complete Mositure Lip Gloss
• Benefit They're Real Mascara
• Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara in Black
• 2 Clinique mascaras
• Lancome eyelash primer
• Urban Decay Eyelash Primer Potion
• Laura Mercier Foundation Primer
• Lancome Blush in Miel Glace
• Baby cakes baked blush palette
• Black Eyeliner by Stila
• Bluefin Eyeliner by Stila
• 3 Bath and Body Works Purse Hand Soaps
• Brown Eyeliner by Stila
• Pantene Shampoo
• Pantene hairspray
• Suave Keratine hair
• Sculpting gel

Would not repurchase

• Carmax Complete Moisture Lip Gloss
• 3 Chap sticks
• Herbal Essences Shampoo
• Travel size Keratin Suave shampoo
• TreSemme Conditioner
• Bath & Body Works Brown Sugar & Fig Body Scrub
• Raspberry Sorbet body wash
• BBW Soap
• Shower Gel
• Purple Sephora Eyeliner
• Glitter black Sephora eyeliner
• Mary Kay black eyeliner
• Eyelash primer
• 3 Mini mascara
• Laura Mercier flawless skin cleansing oil make up remover
• Eye make up remover pads
• Jergens Natural Glow
• Victoria's Secret Hand Cream

2.  For 2014, I ended up reading 72 magazines, 22 books and listening to 7 audiobooks
3.  I had 27 total blog posts last year which was much less than my goal for the year but averages out to about 2 a month
4.  I walked 705.38 total miles for 2014 - and still didn't use my elliptical!!!  Putting this into context, this is like walking from my house in TN to my parents in WV and back to TN!  
5.  I did well with my goal of limiting eating out, can always improve on eating healthier.  
6.  In 2013, my scrapbook page goal was 200.  in 2014, my goal was 300.  I'm happy to say that I blew this goal out of the water!  My total page count for the year is 447 pages!!!!  Super happy with my progress for the year but still only to July 2011.  I'm not really sure how far behind I am though because I've already done everything related to wedding planning, engagement, the wedding and our honeymoon (much of 2012 and half of 2013) so maybe those years won't be too bad.  

I think I will keep most of the same goals for 2015.  I have felt challenged this year and have enjoyed keeping tabs on myself.  I do want to keep myself better organized at home and spend less time watching TV and more time being active/scrapbooking.  I hope each of you have a wonderful 2015!    

Christmas Party Invites

Because I don't have enough to do, the husband and I have decided to have a Christmas party at our house next Sunday.  We will probably have 16-20 people.  I wanted to do something fun because he has just resigned from the only company he's worked since graduating college to take on a new opportunity in a few weeks!  It's been a very stressful few months around our house.  I'm so happy for him and hope this new opportunity is everything he's looking for.  That being said, we needed some fun, festive invites!  I've decided on a "Santa" theme and this quickly came to be the invite... 

I used the Santa cut from the Cricut Doodlecharms cartridge; martini Christmas ribbon I had on hand; cardstock from MAMBI Christmas pad and a My Pink Stamper Stamp.  Then, I printed the party details on lime green to adhere to the inside. 

Fall Deco Mesh Wreath

My love for deco mesh wreaths continues!  I made this little beauty a few weeks ago and have just LOVED seeing it on my front door when I get home each day.  This is the first one I made with the mesh this tight and it def. used a lot more of the mesh but gives it a much cleaner/tighter look.  Thanks for stopping by!

October Progress Toward Goals

Break out the winter wear -- it is FRIGID!!! I do not recall it being this cold in November, particularly in Tennessee!  There was snow flurries on my way to work yesterday and ice in patches on the sidewalk this morning!  I also can't believe that we will be cooking up Thanksgiving dinner next week!  What.a.year!  Big changes are a coming!  I think I am MOST excited for this weekend - Adam and I will both be in town and we are planning a pj fest, tree decorating, family getting ready, me scrapbooking/ him computer gaming, good time happening weekend! Now I just have to get him motivated to help me carry all the tree parts up from the basement... that's pretty much the only decorating I do before Thanksgiving - I just like for my family to be able to see my trees while they are here for Thanksgiving.  Plus, with Thanksgiving being so late this year there's not a lot of time between the two holidays.  

        

1.  Only buy the absolute necessary toiletries/cosmetics/etc

I don't think I bought anything new in October - didn't really use anything up either. 

2.  No more magazine subscriptions (unless they are free).  My goal is to finish reading the backlog  of magazines in the living room and then start on my actual book collection!  My goal is 1-2 books per month.  

I did some catch-up magazine reading this month.  I did read two borrowed books - Gone Girl and The Best of Me.  Gone Girl was like woah... and I didn't really care for The Best of Me -- not my favorite Nicholas Sparks book. 

 3.  At least one blog entry a week. 

Yep.  I got nothing.

 

4.  Use the elliptical that's literally just  accumulating spider webs in the basement -- get in 20-30 minutes a day on the elliptical and walk Henderson 1-2 times  a week.

January - 56.53 miles 

February - 64.57 miles 

March - 62.27 miles

April - 46.23 miles

May - 68.84 miles 

June - 61.61 miles

July - 65.74 miles

August - 92.91 miles 

September - 44.36 miles 

October - 57.13 miles

   

 5.  Less eating out at work.  My goal is to only eat out 2-3 times a week.  

Doing great with this one!

6.  Since I beat my scrapbook page goal for 2013, I think I am going to go with ... 300 pages for 2014.

I made 8 pages during October.  I'm up to Memorial Day 2011!  SO many pics from 2011.  Wowzers. 

September Progress Toward Goals

Once again, I find myself nearing the end of another month scratching my head wondering where the time has gone!!  This fall has been good to us but man has it been busy!! With all the travel in September and all the crazy stuff that's going on at work, there's not much time for anything else it seems.  I did finally get to meet my new nephew - Colton - this past weekend!  Adam and I spent out first weekend since Easter in WV last weekend and it was great.  A lot of time hanging around the house with the family not really doing much of anything.  Just what we needed.  

Here's an update on my goals for September (before October is over and I have to do that update!):

1.  Only buy the absolute necessary toiletries/cosmetics/etc

I still haven't had time to shop which is good!  I have been using up my travel stash like crazy though and I used up some other beauty products as well.  I used up two chap sticks and one of my travel hand soaps from Bath & Body Works - I'm in LOVE with the Beautiful Day scent; so clean smelling. 

2.  No more magazine subscriptions (unless they are free).  My goal is to finish reading the backlog  of magazines in the living room and then start on my actual book collection!  My goal is 1-2 books per month.  

I did some catch-up magazine reading this month.  I also finished one Audible book - Orange is the New Black. 

 3.  At least one blog entry a week. 

Yep.  I got nothing.

 

4.  Use the elliptical that's literally just  accumulating spider webs in the basement -- get in 20-30 minutes a day on the elliptical and walk Henderson 1-2 times  a week.

January - 56.53 miles 

February - 64.57 miles 

March - 62.27 miles

April - 46.23 miles

May - 68.84 miles 

June - 61.61 miles

July - 65.74 miles

August - 92.91 miles 

September - 44.36 miles - Lame!  Worst month this year!  Would def. correlate to the crazy schedule.  

   

 5.  Less eating out at work.  My goal is to only eat out 2-3 times a week.  

So with all the traveling, my goal is just to eat as healthy as possible.  It's working.  Somewhat.

6.  Since I beat my scrapbook page goal for 2013, I think I am going to go with ... 300 pages for 2014.

Somehow I squeezed in 10 pages for September!  I still find myself waaaay back in April of 2011.  I did also make some adorable baby shower invites in September as well. :-)

Happy Fall! 

August Progress Toward Goals

Yep, here we are, in the LAST week of September!  How does it happen that time goes faster every single month??  These last few weeks have been a blur.  In August, I spent a week in Nashville for an HR meeting, two weeks in Las Vegas for an Engineering Training program I was working with, a weekend in Atlanta with my gal pals to cheer on the Mountaineers at the WVU/Alabama game, a recruiting trip to WVU, a quick overnight trip to a town outside Chicago for a wedding and now I find myself in Tuscaloosa, AL recruiting some more!  I'm tired just typing it!  I also added a pretty cute lil' baby nephew last week - Colton Gage made his debut while I was in Morgantown.  I've got TONS of pics of scrapbook pages I tried to upload but after I spent a ton of time editing them, they loaded sideways and I'm yet to figure out how to edit or rotate pics on blogger?  So annoying.  I'll get there eventually.  But, for now, I leave you with my monthly goal recap for August!

 1.  Only buy the absolute necessary toiletries/cosmetics/etc

I haven't had time to shop which is good!  I have been using up my travel stash like crazy though and I used up some other beauty products as well.  Would def. repurchase all of these items - the hair products have lasted me for YEARS so really good investments for me but I'm ready to try some other items out there!

 2.  No more magazine subscriptions (unless they are free).  My goal is to finish reading the backlog  of magazines in the living room and then start on my actual book collection!  My goal is 1-2 books per month.  

I did some catch-up magazine reading and read 2 books from my stash.  I also finished some Audible books - My Story by Elizabeth Smart and Sold by Patricia McCormick.

 3.  At least one blog entry a week. 

Yep.  I got nothing.

 

4.  Use the elliptical that's literally just  accumulating spider webs in the basement -- get in 20-30 minutes a day on the elliptical and walk Henderson 1-2 times  a week.

January - 56.53 miles 

February - 64.57 miles 

March - 62.27 miles

April - 46.23 miles

May - 68.84 miles 

June - 61.61 miles

July - 65.74 miles

August - 92.91 miles - CRUSHED IT in August!  I did soooo much walking while in Las Vegas!  

   

 5.  Less eating out at work.  My goal is to only eat out 2-3 times a week.  

So with all the traveling, my goal is just to eat as healthy as possible.  It's working.  Somewhat.

6.  Since I beat my scrapbook page goal for 2013, I think I am going to go with ... 300 pages for 2014.

I was able to squeeze in 46 pages during August (somehow) which brings my progress to mid-April... 2011. Oh well.  Progress is progress, right???