10 Things Monthly: January

Back to the beginning again with this challenge! Every month in 2014 I will exfoliate 10 items. See everything I got rid of last year. I credit this idea to this blog post. Check it out for some great tips and perspective on exfoliating.

1. Ikea boxes--donate

2. Christmas stuff--recycle

3. Empty box--recycle

4. Old running shoes--trash

5. Magazine--recycle

6. Book--donate

7. Pearl necklace--donate

8. Christmas jewelry--donate

9. Bag--donate

10. iTouch Accessories--trash

New Year, New Month, New Playlist

With my 2013 reflections completed (part 1 and part 2), it's now time to look forward. Here's some music I'm feeling right now. Listen here.

The two songs I couldn't find on Spotify are here:







Last January

2013 Recap--Part 2

Each year I choose a theme to live by. I carefully choose a phrase I know will change my life if I truly implement it in my life. Some years I'm successful and some years I'm not. My 2013 motto was "Love for the Sake of Love." It was a concept I was taught by Mara and Danny Kofoed of "A Blog About Love" when they came to our Relief Society Retreat in 2012.

My hope was to honor the Christ-like attribute of Love by just loving and not expecting anything in return. In terms of changing my behaviors and expectations, I don't think I was very successful. I did succeed, however, in keeping this theme on the forefront of my mind all year (changing your passwords to reflect your goals is helpful!).

There were a few small successes that I know would have turned out differently if this concept hadn't been on my mind. There were times when I wanted to be "done" with someone or a situation, instead of cutting them out I tried to give it time, have a conversation, and frankly forgive (still working on the asking for forgiveness part). In a few of those cases, I feel closer to that person now. I shudder to think that I could be harboring hate and cutting off relationships instead. Is it just me or when I am focusing on a goal it becomes all the more difficult? There were times this year that I felt I was getting (or causing) blow after blow in my relationships. It was still is hard. There is always so much more that I could be doing, but I am satisfied with those few successes. In this case, I suppose small successes ARE successes.

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My motto for 2014, not surprisingly, also stems from our last Relief Society Retreat. Our theme was "Hearts that Know and Feel." I led a creative workshop and asked sisters to share in a creative way the things that make their hearts burst. Girls created collages, read poems, read hymns, or shared songs on their iphones. It was supremely inspiring.

My friend Brynn shared a song called, "Nothing Ever Happens" by Rachel Platten. You probably didn't notice but it was on my November playlist and is also on my January 2014 playlist, because well, it is the theme for my year. When I heard the song, I just knew. It would help change my life.

The take-away message for me is the chorus: "Nothing ever happens if you stay in your room. Nothing ever happens if you leave the party too soon. Never be a winner if you're not in the game. Nothing ever happens if you always play it safe. Make a little space and get out of your own way."

Sometimes you just need a kick in the pants right? I'm hoping the theme of "Nothing ever happens if you stay in your room" will inspire me to get out of my own way and out of my own head. Stop wasting time and being lazy. Use my time more effectively like exercising, cooking nutritious meals, and building relationships.

Oh and another 2014 goal of mine is to be boy crazy :)

See 2013 Recap--Part 1

2013 Recap--Part 1

Happy New Year my loves!

A few days ago I was flipping through my pictures of 2013 (Instagram has a remarkable way of capturing your best moments!) and reminiscing about SO MANY good times this year. I was overwhelmed with happiness about the wonderful friends I have and the priceless opportunities that came my way in 2013. It was a hard year, but the good outweighed the bad.

Since my blogging has dwindled to pretty much nothing but my monthly playlists and purging posts, let me attempt to recap the highlights.

January: The stunning Ann Hamilton art installation at the Armory in New York

February: Winter bliss in the mountains of West Virginia

  

March: The moment when spring brightens your mid-term crunch. Easter mass at the National Cathedral

PLUS!! There was a 2nd trip to New York with Lacey

April: Cherry Blossoms and the Nats...spring staples in Washington

May: Two fabulous trips to Ocean City, MD (Get it Together 2013!) and Nemours Mansion in Delaware (Aimer et Connaitre)


June: The most demanding thing of my year: completing an internship at the Textile Museum WHILE working full-time. But weekends were spent enjoying the sunshine with visits to places like the National Arboretum


July: Another summer trip to Philly with some great friends and outdoor movies at my house!


August: Relaxing weekend trips included Bethany Beach in Delaware and my first professional massage at Boar's Head Inn in Charlottesville, VA

September: My favorite month included a glitzy 30th birthday celebration in Las Vegas with my sisters!


Juliet turned one! And I had to take advantage of seeing the blooming of a rare plant at the US Botanical Garden


October: Yet another trip, but this time to upstate New York to visit my aunt and uncle who were serving a Temple Mission in Palmyra

Check out this fun movie I made of our trip: Click Here

In October I presented a paper I wrote about an object in the Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection. I also came across the most stunningly beautiful art installation at Dumbarton Oaks Gardens


Here are some more shots of DC's hidden treasure:

My friend also celebrated her 30th in style with a true Gatsby-style soiree.


November: Stunning fall foliage can be found in national parks or in my own backyard. Winter trips included Cumberland, MD and Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater (major bucket-list item!) Stumbling across a crystal winter wonderland at sunset was an ethereal moment never to forget




December: Gorgeous views of Sugar Plum Fairies, cathedrals, and twinkle lights galore. One final trip to NYC and a New Year's Eve that may have been the best I've EVER had!





And just for fun: Goodreads tells me I read eight books in 2013, which sadly, is probably true. I wrote about two of these great reads here and here


I bought Elizabeth Smart's book and got to meet her. Inspiring to the max. I finally brought back to DC with me my Great-Grandmother's punch bowl and 19 punch cups. The set has already been used for two parties!

Loving this art purchase of my favorite building in NYC! And a trip to Grandma's house inspired a semester project...creating an exhibition proposal for Uncle Leo's art

See 2013 Recap--Part 2
See my recaps of 2012 and 2011