24 before 25

I'm a little late because my birthday was in October... but here we go! Some are very specific and others are a little more vague. Hopefully it's a good mix. 24 is a lot of goals! I think 24 is going to be a good year, 23 wasn't my fav.

1. Finish one large Moleskin Journal
2. Visit three new places (Germany, Sweden, ?)
3. Pay off all debt
4. Read the Book of Mormon
5. Take an improv class at second city
6. Go to the Field Museum
7. Be less sarcastic
8. Speak better Danish
9. Complete one sewing project
10. Prioritize breakfast
11. Read a newspaper cover to cover
12. Remember every family members birthday and give a thoughtful gift
13. Read one book a month
14. Complete the New Weight Lifting for Women work out series
15. Get in bed by 10:30 on work nights
16. Sign a petition
17. Work on being a more positive person
18. Start wearing contacts
19. Take someone to lunch
20. Call my mom at least once a week
21. Print more pictures
22. Make a photo book of our second year of marriage
23. Get some new art for our apartment
24. Do something special for Michael monthly

And that's all she wrote folks. Happy New Year!

22 before 23 {recap}

Okay, so my birthday was in July but I've taken a long, much-needed break from blogging. Therefore, this recap has been delayed.

I didn't do as well as I would have liked, but I'm going to blame that on the fact that I legitimately forgot about the list in the craziness of wedding planning. That's done now, so I'm back on track and in the middle of making my new 23 before 24 list.

 Here's my recap:

1. Make an Instagram journal

2. See D.C. at Christmas - I saw Virginia at Christmas, and that's close enough for my standards.

3. Read 15 books - I'm estimating since, again, I forgot about this list. Pretty sure I read about 15 books.

4. Do 100 pushups in a row - Nope. Pushups are hard. I have improved my technique, and currently I'm even doing them on my fists because I hurt my wrist. That's an accomplishment for me.

5. Run a 5K - I ran two 5Ks last fall when I lived in Virginia.

6. Read Pride and Prejudice - HOW HAVE I STILL NOT DONE THIS. (Period, not a question mark, yes.) It's been on my goal list for at least three years now.

7. Buy Hunter boots - I'm the proud owner of a pink pair of Hunter boots.

8. Take pictures of my mom - I didn't, but Brooke got a couple really nice ones of my mama at my wedding.

9. Remember everyone's birthdays - Everyone, as in my family and Harley. I'm planning to expand that circle this year.

10. Play the piano in church - This is difficult when I don't have a piano in my living room, but I've been on the lookout for a nice keyboard on KSL.

11. Read a biography/personal memoir - Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson. Read my review of it here. And then go read it yourself.

12. Graduate - Done. BA in Communications.

13. Learn the art of palm reading - Still on my list to do.

14. Kiss someone - Bonus: I kissed my soulmate.

15. Embroider something - Not yet, but I've collected inspiration on my pinboard.

16. Surprise someone - A surprise visit on Valentine's Day. Jess loved it.

17. Get certified to teach aerobics - I've been saving my cash and I'm shooting for a December training!

18. Leave a note for a stranger - Haven't done this yet. But I have started collecting random notes and papers I find on the ground.

19. Learn how to play volleyball and soccer from Cady and Porter - I think I'll always prefer to watch.

20. Complete one of Elsie's e-courses - If "complete" means "read," then...check. I read through Elsie's Home Design and Art Journaling ecourses. Loved them. I'm excited to start my art journal.

21. Lose 2% body fat - Do you know how hard this is to measure if you don't go to a gym that has a body fat percentage measuring machine? Yeah. Don't know how close I got to that one.

22. Run a half marathon - At this point in my life, I would rather lift weights and go to Zumba than run for two or three hours, so this is on hold until I decide to shake up my workout routine again.

23 before 24

Jane and I started doing these goals lists a couple years ago. I am not sure where we got the idea, but it's pretty fun. Keeps you accountable throughout the entire year. Also I think it's refreshing to think about goals in a different context than "new years resolutions." You guys... I AM 24 NOW. When is T-Swift going to write a song about that?

Here's the recap of Harley's 23 before 24:

1. Start a new job - Started my first job post college working at an advertising firm in Chicago.
2. Travel to three new places - Washington DC, Burbank, Eureka, Lake Bluff, Crazy Horse
3. Finish two moleskin journals - This one didn't quite happen, I started three new journals, but didn't completely finish any.
4. Compliment someone everyday for something sincere. - Worked really hard on this one, although I don't think it's conquered.
5. Become a great listener - I'm better, but I still talk way too much.
6. Learn a new signature dessert - Cinnamon rolls are a dessert!
7. Read something by Jane Austen - I can't believe I never have before, Pride and Prejudice baby! Review coming soon.
8. Start making my own bread - Check check, especially with the easiest bread recipe in the world.
9. Become consistent with daily scripture study - Ummmm no comment.
10. Throw away at least one item of clothing every month - Now I love throwing things away. LOVE it.
11. Get off the Internet by 10pm - Eh. I started silencing my phone at night.
12. Go to the top of the sears tower - Totally did this one!
13. Get in shape by working out at least three times a week
14. Learn a song and record it  - It's far from perfect... but I did it. I also played a few songs a Jane's wedding, which was really fun. You can watch it here.
15. Give service freely- Think of others before myself - Still working on it, but getting way involved with church helped a ton.
16. Read a newspaper cover to cover - Nope. This was an easy one too.
17. Ride my bike through the city - Around the block counts right?
18. Attend a food, music, and art festival
19. Make a piece of art for my home. - A weird pom pom wall hanging thingy.
20. Leave my hair color alone - WHOA! did this one. High fiving a million angels.
21. Make sure the dishes are done every night before I got to sleep - A vast improvement so I am counting it.
22. Feed the birds
23. Decorate a cake - Made Michael's birthday cake.

24 before 25 coming soon.

summer goals, inspired by lynn and lou

What you see here is my version of what the lovely ladies over on Lynn and Lou did to plan out their summers (my computer and I were having issues, so I had to recreate it--not as colorful and fun as the one they did, but still effective). Have you checked out their printable? It's adorable. I thought it would be the perfect way to highlight some of the bigger things I'd like to accomplish this summer. Aside from getting married (less than three weeks!), I'm planning to do some fun things. As you might notice, half of them involve a lot of carbs...

Linking up with Nice to Meet You Blog Hop.

happiness project: may

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wow wow wow, what happened to may?? all of a sudden i realize it's halfway gone and i still haven't posted about my happiness project goals. let's be real for a second though, i have definitely lost some momentum for keeping up with my goals. how do you stay motivated when it happens to you? i'll do some research and post about what i find.

april's goals went alright--find them here. i focused on being more cheerful, which has been easier as school finished, i graduated from college and i've moved closer to my man. so...success.

here are my goals for may (and here's to pushing through!):

be a better blogger--improve my content and be brave enough to be more personal

write more

spend more time reading and less time watching grey's anatomy

want to read more about our happiness project goals? january, february, march, april.

cheers, 

jane.

what jane wore // green for spring

It's the beginning of April and time for a Happiness Project update. Last month was all about going back to the basics. I was feeling overwhelmed and my routine was suffering. When the routine suffers, so does everything else. 

I've decided to focus April on lightening my mood (inspired by Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project). Here are the goals:

Be easy to please

Crank up my energy

Look for ways to help

Speak with good cheer

The four are taken from her November Resolutions, since they seem to match what I need right now. We've got a full and exciting month ahead! Only two weeks left of college, graduation, and then I get to move into the apartment Jess and I will live in after we get married in June. Jess and I haven't lived in the same town since we were seniors in high school -- five years ago. Hopefully we'll know what do do with ourselves when we live so close.

What goals will you make for April? It's spring, the perfect time to refocus your energies on something. Do it right now! Here are some ideas if you need help in pinning down a few goals: January // February // March.

xo,

Jane

happiness project: march

I revamped these mounted antlers (found secondhand), and I love the way it turned out. Jess isn't as excited because he's worried about having to tell everyone he's not the one who shot it. Oh well, I say. It's going to look fabulous in our front room.

Remember the Happiness Project? My February goals didn't go as well as I hoped, and I felt like it was because of a lack of regular routine. I thrive on routines but they haven't been very consistent lately, so I wanted to focus on rejuvenating those routines during March. Here are my goals:

Write in my journal every day.

Read scriptures every day.

Do something special on Sunday to set it apart.

Don't do homework on Sunday.

Work harder to make prayers more heartfelt.

Pray every morning.

So far it's been going really well. Have you set any new goals lately? If you haven't, just set one for the week and tell us what you're doing!

xo

Jane

an exciting new goal!

Sweater: Nordstrom Rack // Blouse: Banana Republic // Skirt: Banana Republic // Feather earrings: The Buckle
Due to inspiration from a good friend, I'm starting something new and exciting this week...Insanity! I've never really been interested in it (I like Zumba too much), but I saw before and after photos of someone close to me, and they are INCREDIBLE. There are always success stories in fitness magazines, but who knows how accurate they really are? I'm a believer now. And I want to try it for myself. Sixty days, here it goes. I don't think I have a lot of weight to lose, but I'd like to build more muscle. I'm going all the way and even taking progress photos to chart the improvement. Wish me luck!
linking up here.

5 tips: how to go 30 days without sugar

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Someday I plan on owning a bakery where I can make treats from dawn until dusk, powdered sugar on my cheek and sprinkles under my fingernails. Until that day, however, I have realized I need to be okay with only one cookie or the smaller slice of strawberry rhubarb pie. If you're anything like me, sweets, chocolates, candies, and basically anything else containing corn syrup is an unhealthy weakness that needs to be reigned in.

A few years ago Harley and I started a 30-day sugar fast that we strictly maintained until Valentine's day, upon which we ate office treats until we decided another 30-day sugar fast was in order. I've never been that extreme (on either side) in sugar fasts since then, but I think I've refined the methods. Here's how to make it an entire 30 days guilt free.

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1. Do it with a friend.

A support system is good for any goal you have, but you may need more than a thumbs up when you're doing No Sugar. Har and I text each other when the sugary temptations seem too much ("Help...my boss brought doughnuts to work today!") and reply with encouraging and diverting comments. Having a friend actually doing it with you makes all the difference.

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2. Understand the concept.

Decide your purpose and limitations at the very beginning, based on how extreme you want your sugar fast to be. Are you trying to avoid all processed sugar? Do you want to wean yourself from wanting a treat after every meal? Whatever your reason is, you need to understand it. This will help you in knowing what to give up.

The first time I did No Sugar, I went to the extreme: I only bought plain, unsweetened yogurt, I didn't eat crackers, and I stayed away from granola bars. It was a great experience and I definitely felt cleaner, but it's too extreme for me to maintain. Right now I still put a teaspoon of brown sugar in my oatmeal and jam on my toast--the purpose of my sugar fast is to break the habit of junkfood being my go-to and after meal snack. 

3. Use a daily checklist.

I don't like food logs, they're too high maintenance for my schedule, but I do keep a calendar next to my alarm clock where I check off whether I went the day without sugar. It's a little easier to say no when you remember you have the choice between a check mark or an X. Accountability. That's the key.

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4. Pay attention to how you feel.

I find motivation in remembering how clean I feel when I go without sugar for long enough. Pay attention to your body and remember how good you feel. More energetic? Happier? Fewer slumps during the day? Let those be incentives as well.

5. Know it's not forever.

When I remember I only have to make it for 30 days, skipping dessert seems more doable. Another great thing about No Sugar: you'll become more appreciative of the smallest piece of chocolate if you're careful and aware enough. On the days I slip up (it happens!), I usually manage to only give in to something tiny. It's enough, since it's better than nothing!

Comment to let us know if you're taking the pledge!

happiness project update

Image via. It's only been a few days since I posted my Happiness Project goals for January, but Harley and I decided i would be a good thing to start giving updates more consistently--hopefully helping ourselves stay on track and, ideally, inspiring other people to continue their own New Year resolutions. As a reminder, here are my January goals: 
January (Energy) Go to sleep earlier. Work out. No sugar. Use my daybook. Tidy up. Don't procrastinate. Act the way I want to feel.
The measurable goals (curfew, working out, no sugar, using my to-do list, and tidying up) have been easier to remember and keep, but the others are more difficult to remember during the day. I printed out one of Gretchen Rubin's downloads to keep track of my daily progress with a simple check mark or X, which is also keeping me much more accountable than if I were to simply keep my goals tucked away in my journals.
I have not been perfectly consistent on any of them, but an earlier curfew and no sugar have already made a difference in the way I feel, day to day. My boyfriend and my sister came to visit this weekend, and I was exhausted and ready to sleep by 11--not much of a party animal, I am. As far as no sugar goes, keep your eyes peeled for a 5 Tips post. I feel like many of you would love to participate in something like that but don't have the faith in yourself to go that long without sugar. Harley and I have done it so many times, we've come up with a pretty good idea of how to make a 30-day sugar fast bearable. Are you still keeping up on your own resolutions?

happiness project: january

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Finally, it's Happiness Project time. Currently I am reading The Happiness Project, as well as listening to Happier at Home in my car, so, needless to say, my head is swirling with ideas of how I want to become happy camper this year. The main message I've taken from Gretchen Rubin's experience is that, essentially, we need to be in a state of growth to be happier. 
I plan on doing a 12-month project like she did, but the thought of planning each month now overwhelms me. Instead (and for now), I'll outline one month at a time. My January looks much like hers did; I like the idea of working to find more energy in the first month.
January (Energy) Go to sleep earlier: Shut off the light by 10:45. Work out: Whether it's Zumba, 25 pushups or a walk around the block, do something. No sugar: Once again, I'm cutting out sugar. I've loved it every other time I've managed to do it, plus my mom is doing it this time! Use my daybook: Make to-do lists before I go to bed so I can sleep in peace. Check things off the next day. Tidy up: Before I sleep, tidy up my room. It only takes a few seconds, but it'll keep things nice and orderly. Don't procrastinate: Tackle tasks (...like homework) right away. Act the way I want to feel: Like Gretchen, I think it'll benefit me to act more energetic, happy or calm--even if I don't always feel that way. 
There are printouts on The Happiness Project website to help keep track of daily progress, which I'm already using. I think they'll help me remember and feel more accountable, which is a good way to prevent New Year Resolution Abandonment.
If any of you are still posting your resolutions or Happiness Projects, give us the link!

what jane wore: purple coat

A few weeks ago I realized my average bedtime is consistently 2am, which is obviously bad since I'm not a night owl. (With the Sleep Time app I use, it's easy to see any trends in my sleep habits.) 

So I set an alarm on my phone that goes off every night at 10 and says, "It's time to wind down, love! Turn off the TV, shut your computer, and go get a book."I got excited thinking this was a breakthrough idea, yet I haven't obeyed that alarm one time. Not once.

Here's to starting over. I'll try again tonight (I'll really try). My day always runs more smoothly when I get enough sleep, wake up earlier, exercise in the morning, and then have the rest of the day to work and be productive. Even if I'm not productive after that, I still feel good because I got up and got going. Can you relate? 

xo

Jane

5k. check.

Jayme and me after the race. She and Alaina ran the 1K with all the other neighborhood cutie pies.

If you remember, one of the goals on my 22 before 23 list was to run a 5K. I ran cross country for a year in high school and have run spontaneously since then but never truly enjoyed it. My dad, however, is a runner through and through; thus, I've always wanted to develop some sort of appreciation for it. I think I owe him that much.

I can proudly say that I ran this 5K faster than I ever ran one in high school. So. 5K, checked off the list. We're all planning to run the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving as well. Seems like a fun way to start a great holiday. Will you do it?

23 before 24

Today is my birthday and I found Jane's post from Tuesday entirely fitting for my life. Here are my 23 goals before I turn 24.

1. Start a new job
2. Travel to three new places
3. Finish two moleskin journals
4. Compliment someone everyday for something sincere. Nothing artificial.
5. Become a great listener
6. Learn a new signature dessert
7. Read something by Jane Austen (I can't believe I never have before!)
8. Start making my own bread
9. Become consistent with daily scripture study
10. Throw away at least one item of clothing every month
11. Get off the Internet by 10pm
12. Go to the top of the sears tower
13. Get in shape by working out at least three times a week
14. Learn this song and record it
15. Give service freely- Think of others before myself
16. Read a newspaper cover to cover
17. Ride my bike through the city
18. Attend a food, music, and art festival
19. Make a piece of art for my home
20. Leave my hair color alone
21. Make sure the dishes are done every night before I got to sleep
22. Feed the birds
23. Decorate a cake

image via.

more! 

24. learn to love winter. 

22 before 23

This 22 Before 23 list has been brewing in my head for the last few months, and I finally took the time to write everything down. Here's what I want to accomplish this year:

----

1. Make an Instagram journal

2. See D.C. at Christmas

3. Read 15 books

4. Do 100 pushups in a row

5. Run a 5K

6. Read Pride and Prejudice

7. Buy Hunter boots

8. Take pictures of my mom

9. Remember everyone's birthdays

10. Play the piano in church

11. Read a biography/personal memoir

12. Graduate!

13. Stick to my budget

14. Kiss someone

15. Have a picnic

16. Surprise someone

17. Get certified to teach aerobics

18. Leave a note for a stranger

19. Learn how to play volleyball and soccer from Cady and Porter

20. Be a better blogger

21. Lose 2% body fat

22. Run a half marathon

This post is serious.

I have so many thoughts.

My husband and I often talk about what we want to accomplish. What we want the real aim of our lives to be. Is it money? Is it family? Every day what is it that I am waking up and feeling passionate about? I must have a greater purpose than school, this blog, or Pinterest right? Who am I influencing? Who am I building up with my words? Do I improve myself everyday? Do I live my life to its greatest potential?

All of those questions leave me feeling inspired to live better.
Cause shouldn't that all be what we are doing?
Living life each day more passionately?
More fully?
More joyfully?

Sometimes we have set backs. I recognize this. And sometimes we feel like we can't go on. But we do. And it all compiles into this journey each of us gets to take.

We are on the earth.
We have a God who loves us!
We have moments of joy that couldn't be bought with money.

I by no means live a perfect life in which everyday I increase my capacity for kindness. Sometimes I get grumpy. And heaven knows I snap at people. My poor husband. I can do better. I can be nicer. I can love more. This is what I want my life to be. I want those around me to feel lifted.

This semester I am in my Senior capstone class for advertising. We are working with a really tricky client. With a group of 7 sometimes we feel unmotivated, but there is one boy in our group that somehow leaves every single one of us feeling better than when we got there. He lifts us. Encourages us. Motivates us to produce work that we thought we were incapable of.

I want to be like this. I want to leave people better than when I found them.

Every year before the start of a new school year I would get "the lecture." My Dad would always say the same thing. Here I am in college and every time before a new semester starts this conversation plays itself out.

Dad: "And what are you going to do this year?'
Me: "Be nice to everyone."
Dad: "That's right... because everyone needs a friend."

I was reading blogs the other day and a fellow blogger was personally attacked on a forum. I would put the link here, but it doesn't deserve any more traffic. It wasn't even me being criticized, but I was completely crushed.

There is so much unkindness in the world. I remember when Mean Girls came out in theaters. My mom took me to see it at the age of 13 because Dr. Phil told her too. As funny as the movie is there is so much truth.

So today. I am going to be a little nicer. Gossip is officially not a part of my vocabulary because surely there are better things that I could be doing.

I might even do the dishes when I get home.

a skirt with pockets + goals check-up

-----2012 Resolutions Check-up-----

-Become less critical {of myself and others}. It's amazing how much my perspective has changed just since making the conscious decision to change my attitude. Every time I think something negative about myself or someone else, I shake my head, push it away, and think a kind thought instead. Not only do I feel more loving, I feel like the positive energy is buoying up the other areas of my life as well.

-Fix my guitar and start practicing. Umm...hasn't happened yet. Working on it.

-Write, write, write. I need to do more, but at least I've stayed consistent with my journal.

-Cook more often. In doing No Sugar with Harley, I've definitely been making fewer treats and more actual meals. Currently my favorite is calzones.

-Stop complaining. I didn't realize how much I complain until deciding to stop. Wow.

How are your resolutions going? Comment with a link to yours if you did it; I'd love to read them.