Happy 2017!!! Can you believe it, already January 2nd! Ummm chill out there new year I need more time! More time to make time, make plans, and to make time to stick to the plan!
Every year I write out 3 goals and create a vision board to inspire me, I’m big on tangible things that I can look at daily. I need daily reminders of what the big picture is because I get stuck in my head sometimes on the temporary. Today I’ll share with you my 5 ways to keep your resolutions and what mine are for the year.
1. Write it down – on a piece of paper. I probably have a thousand notes on my phone and a gazillion text edits on my computer all labeled in various ways TO DO. There’s something about physically writing your thoughts down on paper and being able to cross things off your list that is way more satisfying then deleting a note on your phone. 2. Get organized – planners are a great way to take the list of your goals and your daily to do’s and manage them day by day to get you to those big goals. I really like writing little notes to myself in my planner that keeps me on track like, “today is wine night, drink up buttercup!” LOL 3. Keep it simple – and keep it realistic. Yes go for those big goals and dream bigger, just adjust your daily list to things you can accomplish without overwhelming yourself or setting yourself back. 4. Stay focused – set backs are normal, just stay focused on the plan which are your daily to do’s. That’s why having a schedule is so important. When you feel like you’re getting overwhelmed or you have days where you aren’t motivated, you can look at your day and those bite sized tasks will equal up to the big picture. 5. Slow and steady wins the race – day by day baby! Daily accomplishments set into motion your goal so take your year one day at a time. Be present in everything you do and remember that slow and steady wins the race <3
My goals for this year are to focus on being consistent in both blogging and my channel, get wedding ready, and to find more time to unwind from they day.
As a blogger and YouTube creator, I’ve constantly struggled with being consistent and sticking to a schedule. Creating on two different platforms is taxing on my creativity because I’m crafting for two different audiences. I hit walls all the time and for me, sticking to a schedule and writing out my daily plan really helps. It helps me not to work on my brand from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep, not being able to clock out ever is dangerous IMO.
That’s why having a routine of rest is just as important as having a routing of work. I’ll be balancing work, working-out, and time-outs for myself every day this year. Wish me luck!
Just keep swimming 😉
What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2017? Do you have any tips on sticking to the plan?
Joe recently said to me, “I never see you read” and I threw him a nasty lil look because, rude, but also, true. I NEVER read, I mean I read all day long though. It’s part of my job to know what’s new and exciting, who’s doing what, and when the new Apple thingamajig is dropping. I just never read books. Ya know, those tangible-page-flipping-library-kinda material. I do however love the smell of libraries and old book stores I just never find myself seeking them out.
So I’ve piled together the books we have laying around here at home and I’ll share with you why you should read them. Partially so that I can help you discover your inner nerd again because nerds rule, but mainly for myself because I really do need to find time to sit down and feed my brain something besides mindless scrolling of endless status updates.
Damn Good Advice (for people with talent!) – this book was actually gifted to Joe by our incredible friends Sebastian and Karissa but I’ve heard so many good things about it. Offering up advice, information, and inspiration for you creatives out there, I think this read will be a nice little reset if you’re feeling creatively blocked.
Think Rich Grow Rich – this book is a personal development book that focuses on ’13 steps’ and how each principal is necessary to achieve success, promoting the focus of ‘long term goals’. I read all of 3 pages (yes I know, eye roll) but it’s interesting so I’ll pick it back up and report back soon!
The E Myth Revisited – this book addresses the myths of being an entrepreneur, how to let things go and chuck ’em up to casualties of war, and defines the difference between working on your business and working in your business. I honestly have zero clue what the hell that even means but I’m intrigued! Once I read it I’ll give you my full review.
Bossypants – oh Tina Fey how I adore thee. I’ve only read a few chapters of this book but it’s like she and I are besties, she just doesn’t know it yet! She writes in her own voice (duh Jess it’s an autobiography) but it’s legit like I can hear her telling me these stories, like I’m right there with her. And they’re damn hilarious! The woman is smart, sassy, and witty! This is a must read for everyone, everyone I tell you!
Saltwater Buddha – Joe has had this book sitting in our book shelf since I’ve known him and he says this book is awesome and I believe him. I think we can all feel a little lost sometimes and this book is spiritual, travel driven, and all about finding your focus . . . all the things I love! Can’t wait to read it!
Beauty Detox Solution – this was given to me by my hyper brain angel face bff Nikki last year and I’ve perused and pulled information from every chapter! If you know me than you know I’m obsessed with skin care, with feeling young forever, and dammit, looking it too! This book educates you on the food you put into your body and the effects it has on your body inside and out. I love learning new things and finding out about the timing of foods, and what vitamins do what and when is pretty fascinating. Do it <333
Are there any books you’ve recently picked up that I should add to my list?
My goal is to read at least one book a month and I think it’ll be a nice way to start and end the day, a little zen a little zoning out. Do it with me!
I’m so excited to share this series with you and I’m also creating videos for it on my YouTube channel! Welcome to the Bride Guide, from yours truly! Because, those that can’t do, teach and I’ll be the first to admit that I suck at planning! Like really I’d rather have someone else just tell me where to be and when ha! Realistically though I’m a control FREAK so I’m giving you my tips and tricks to staying bright and breathing and never turning into the huffing puffing bridezilla, from the control freak in me to the control freak in you!
So the part of wedding planning that I found to be the most stress inducing (ahem the entire ‘planning’ part of it duh) has become the most fun to do … once I relied on other sources to do it for me of course! Today I’m sharing with you my bride guide to planning your big day with ease, featuring some of the sites I’m currently using to prep, plan, style, and SAVE with my top 5 wedding planning tips!
1. Create a site– a landing page for guests and a place to get information surrounding your wedding. If I have a ton of questions I can’t imagine the questions my guests would have and creating a site for this puts it onto one place- the who, the where, the what, the when, the hows! You’ve probably heard of Martha Stewart weddings and The Knot, and I love checking in on those sites to see if I’m on track with the planning ‘time line’ (oh yeah, there’s a freaking time line to follow! No pressure!), but I’m using RileyGrey.com for my actual wedding site and reception hub. It feels daunting but it’s super user friendly and if I can navigate it, your tortoise probably can too! You design the page, you fill in the information, create your own personalized link, and boom, you’re like a pro baby!
2. Set a date and pick a location– I feel like these two go hand in hand because if you plan on a destination wedding *raises hands and feet* than timing becomes crucial depending on time of year, weather conditions, and travel. Also, when you set a date the next natural thing to do is pick your location which takes away 99.9% of stress, at least for me it did. I’m living and breathing by THIS blog by JetFete which caters to destination wedding planning, and helps you narrow down your options, sift through all the possibilities, and goes through every question you may have lingering when it comes to planning a wedding away from home.
3. Food, flowers, and such– choosing a vendor that offers prime location, handles decorating for you, and provides food AND beverage service is like a dream come true! But lets face it, most vendors aren’t all inclusive, thus you’re left to fend for yourself. I got your back though, CaratsAndCake is a site that allows you to shop your vendors ACCORDING TO LOCATION (whoa! and hence pick your location first) with the help of other brides who’ve already had their weddings and link you out to each of the services they used. Genius right?!?!?! So you go through the albums, it features photos from their wedding and the links to their vendors from food, to their dress, to decorations and flowers! These links are located at the bottom of the post which takes you to a page with other work the company has done, and from there you can contact the vendor directly.
G E N I U S
4. Take photos and send Save The Dates!– taking lovey dovey pictures are the fun part! You get to look all kissy and fishy faced with the love of your life … in front of strangers, and hold poses that seem awkward but look sexy! Then you send those to your family and friends as Save The Dates and RSVP cards 😀 Postable is like oxygen to me right now because it gathers the mailing address and contact information from all of your guests and puts them into one place for you. So when you’re ready to mail out your invitations simply upload or export that information to your stationary person or print them off yourself and you’re set! It’s a free service and you create a personalized link which you then email your guests with. It takes them to the landing page where they fill out their information and it goes directly to you, never shared (that was a big deal for me). You could use this for holidays, special occasions, and birthdays since you update the list yourself throughout the year.
5. Register and receive– gifts! The super duper fun funners part! Well it’s all fun but I mean c’mon, wahooo gifts!!! Sites like The Knot, Honey Fund, and others also allow your nearest and dearest to either purchase a gift from your registry or contribute to your honeymoon. Since I will both register for gifts AND ask for honeymoon perks, I’m using NewlyWish. With group gifting options and a low cash fund fee, it was just the way to go for us. I also never know what I need or want- I want it all, but this site helps you skim through products and add them to your list with a click of a button . . . ummm yes please!
So I realllllly hope this post helped you if you’re planning a wedding, helping someone else plan theirs, or will be planning in the future! There are so many resources out there like Etsy and Pinterest that give you a plethora of options when it comes to story boards and sharing ideas, and gift giving! However these are the sites I’m currently using to organize my thoughts and plans for my own wedding and I wanted to share them with you before things start to get cray lol.
There are some key things left out of this article like dress shopping and timelines, which will be woven in between all of this, but these were the items that I needed to check off my list in order to settle the nerves and be able to function and get shit done in my life so there ya go! And cheers to you <333
Are there any sites or companies you use for planning a wedding or special occasion?
Sharing fun facts about me, some things you wouldn’t guess just by looking at me is fun for me to share with you because it’s like we’re friends … but like irl. I hope you’re just as weird as I am 😀
I love crispy toast and soggy cereal! – It may sound weird but my daughter and I love leaving our toast out a few minutes to crunch up before we add butter or jelly and we like soaking all of our cereal in milk before spooning it up!
Price is Right and The Office are my guilty pleasures! – I mean, they’re just classic! Bob Barker and Michael Scott! These two shows get me through a day on the couch sick with the flu and any day really!
I don’t want to have any more babies. – Sad but true. I love babies and being a mom is my most greatest joy, but I think I’m done having babies. Key word ‘think’ lol I go back and forth on this a lot! But I’ve never been able to be selfish with my time, Corrine is 18 now so I think I’ll take some time for myself <3
80’s movies and 90’s music, that’s my jam! – So much good came out of these times! The era of big hair, epic love stories (ahem Some Kind Of Wonderful and the like), and MC Hammer! Everything about these 20 years is everything!
I went to school to be a pharmacist! – Yup, the parents are still confused about what I actually do and can’t understand why I just won’t go back to school for this. I did it because I love Math and people, and hey it pays well! But this is the life for me.
I have OCD! – I’m KIND of a control freak, I only like odd numbers, I double check the door locks and stove top about a gagillion times a day. I line things up, I clean like a maniac, I find solace in tidiness. I’m a weirdo baby. But I’ve found it keeps my mind clear when I can control something in this life! ha!
When I get bored or nervous I play with the tips of my hair and poke them into my fingertips. – Sounds weird, I’ll have to show you some day LOL
I like to play with my food! – I eat the chocolate around Snickers and other chocolate bars before enjoying the best part- the nougat! I move food around when I’m done eating it, I put Now & Laters and other taffy-esque candy in my pockets to make them chewy! Like I said, I’m a weirdo baby.
I HAVE to shower before I go to sleep! – Even if I showered that morning, I just sleep better, I feel clean, and it’s so refreshing! Try showering before bed, it’s the best!
Baby wipes in the bathroom, washing hands, and perfumes galore! – I’m big on hygiene also, who isn’t right! Baby wipes, because wipes. I have to wash my hands before I eat and as soon as I get home, just a habit, but like a good one. And I have about 15 perfumes on or near my person at any given time.
I’m a weirdo baby and thank you for letting me share my weird with you. Oh there’s more, but I’ll save them for later xoxo
Anything weird or random that you do?! Myself or someone else probably does them too and it makes us elated to know we aren’t the only ones so share!
