Hello, 2024.

Happy New Year!

I hope you had a restful end to 2023, and you are walking into 2024 feeling decompressed, restored and with a little bit of gumption to meet it head on.  

I took a bit of a break from here the last few weeks – the holidays always end up coming in like a lion, and I spent the few days after Christmas literally eating my way through Chicago before coming home to a quiet and cozy household – my favorite kind of vibe. My NYE was quiet, and today I’m spending some time out on the trails for some fresh air – a tradition my friends and I have had the last few years that I hope will set the tone for more outside time this year.

On that note, my friend R and I also had our annual vision board party (later this year than normally, but we made it in just under the wire on Saturday). Last year, while not a bad year on my end, won’t make it on the list of most memorable (even though I did some go to some pretty epic and memorable places). Did I live up to my vision for 2023? Yes and no, but I’m moving on with a shrug and my eyes forward.

This year, my word will be REFINE. I stole it, kinda, from a podcast I listen to, but I figured it fit my current mood. I spent the last handful of years really working towards some tangible things – new job, new house – both of which I achieved and love (vision boarding works!).  This year I’m going to sit with my life, which honestly is pretty dang good- and just try to make it better.  To refine it. Make it more sparkly. Make it a little more organized.  Add a little more flavor. And keep going on with that main character energy (I am a Leo, after all!).

I don’t say this to mean that life is always sunshine and roses over here, but in the grand scheme of things, I’ve got it pretty good. That’s also not to say that we always shouldn’t strive to do better, but not every year has to come with grand, overwhelming goals. Sometimes life just needs a few tweaks.

So here’s to all of us- and whatever 2024 may bring. We’ve got this, team.

Have a great week!

I’ve found a way to elevate my festive holiday party spread: spiced pecans.

(more…)

Hello, Sunday.

Hello, December!

Like I mentioned the other day, the season has been a little rough for me. Not for any one reason really, but like the rest of the year, I feel like my favorite time of the year is flying by and I’m going to wake up and it’s going to be February soon.

I’m down in Florida for our usual December trip and I can’t say it’s been the most relaxing. I left Crawley not at 100% so the underlying worry has put a damper on things.

However, looking forward to the rest of the month, this is where my head’s at.

wishing: for a few cookbooks on my Christmas list

hoping: for world peace. for real though. not in the miss congeniality kind of way.

thinking: of what I want to manifest for the new year

praying: crawley has a much less stressful year

plotting: 2024 travels…let’s gooooo

planning: my #richgirl life with my wealth planner! For 10% off yours, use my code

dreaming: of a white christmas = cliche

watching: dash + lily. the holiday. mickey’s christmas carol.

reading: stanley tucci’s taste.

eating: my favorite spiced pecans. all day every day.

drinking: egg nog in my coffee. Bailey’s in my coffee. 

Being: grateful