Happy New Year - Now Let's See How I Did!

I remember around this time last year posting several New Year's Resolutions on this blog. A sort of 30 before 30, if you will...which gives me the unique opportunity to check back and see how I did! Because while hitting all those goals definitely didn't happen, turning 30 was guaranteed to. Isn't it funny how aging works? Anyway, 2015 really was an incredible year, but it had its low points for me too. Beginning and ending a relationship that was kind of a full-time job in and of itself made it so I didn't have much time to really do the things I'd outlined, but it did bring lots of other meaningful goals and personal achievements. And while I'm really looking forward to a fresh start in 2016, I hope that reposting my New Years Resolutions from last year as more of a continuation (let's keep this party going!) would be kind of cool. We're all a work in progress, right?

So...without further ado, my 2015 Resolutions! I will cross out things I genuinely did and offer some background commentary on the things I did not...

1  Keep an up-to-date calendar/planner (past March...)
Yeah, this is just never going to be a thing for me. But I keep trying! I'm currently trying to focus my planner just to blogging goals and planning content so I don't just...casually step away for four years again! So that is my amended goal for 2016.
2  Keep my desktop/workspace clean (spot clean every day before leaving work)
3  Take an improv comedy class  
I still really, really want to do this.
4  Set up drinks/dinner with a new female friend
5  Blog at least twice a week
Hah! A likely story... But, I'm upping this to 3x in 2016.
6  Wear makeup everyday (bonus points if I put it on at home and not at my desk)
I definitely upped my makeup game in 2015, but yeah...it mostly happened at my desk. Not gonna lie.
7  Go kayaking at Riverside or Brooklyn Bridge Park
Still on the list!
8  Go skiing at least twice this season
9  Pay off my credit card
Almost there, but working on it! Definitely happening in Q1 of 2016.
10  Take a design/art workshop or class
11  Buy a sketchbook and start to doodle again
12  Learn to make simple things I haven't tried i.e. whipped cream, poached eggs, roast chicken 
13  Find a general practitioner that I like, and have a full check-up (I'm embarrassed to say I haven't been to a GP in 3+ years)  
I did find a GP, but I haven't really made an appointment yet. I'm waiting for a big cold so I can kill two birds with one stone. 
14  Buy a new mattress
15  Stick to my diet (I do Weight Watchers, and I always nail it perfectly for 2 months, and then fizzle for a month, and so on...this year I'm going for consistency!)
Yeah, this definitely did not happen in 2015, but I'm trying again this year, and changing it up with #Nutrisystem. Stay tuned for more posts on this! I've already lost my first 10 pounds, and I just feel like 2016 will definitely be the year of my best ever body.
16  Read at least 20 books
17  Aim to go on at least one date each week
I did do this right up until I started my relationship in March! I would like to do this again in 2016 maybe?
18  Get weekly manicures and DON'T chew fingernails  
19  Cut way back on the booze and the occasional cigarette (very important!!)
Still working on this, though I do think I made some great strides this year.
20  Don't just remove makeup, focus on using my Clinique Sonic System brush for a deeper clean daily
21  Cook for myself at least two days each week
I really did do this for most of the year, so I'm crossing it off!
22  Make my bed everyday (this is so sad...I'm going to be 30, it's time)
I don't nail this every day, but I definitely do it way more and it's been great. 
23  Never visit someone's apartment empty-handed (hostess gifts are in your future, friends!)
I can't remember if I really paid many people a visit this year, but I'm keeping this on the list because it's a nice idea and I think something people always appreciate and remember.
24  Make a point to send thank you notes, birthday cards, other meaningful communications Really still working on this. I would love to become a thoughtful, classy, adult lady this year.
25  Never go a full week without doing yoga
I did not do this but, if I'm honest, it's not really a goal anymore. I hurt my foot very badly last spring when I took a spill on my apartment stairs and it's still not quite yoga-ready. 
26  Try at least one new recipe every 2 weeks, to broaden cooking/eating horizons
I used Plated for part of the year this year, and I really enjoyed it! 
27  Moisturize hands/face/skin daily  
28  Drink water (i.e. no more than 2 Diet Cokes per day, how will I ever do this?)
I started really doing this in the back half of the year, and I really do want to continue to work on it in 2016.
29  Go on a relaxing vacation (preferably out of the country)
Sadly no vacation this year. If I hit my weight loss goals, maybe I will take myself to the beach?
30  Feel good, stay positive, be happy 

Total resolution score: 17/30 (Over half, not too shabby!)

If I had to add some new ones for 2016 (in addition to the above that I'm still working on) they would have to be:

1  Upgrade my wardrobe to start phasing in more high-quality staple pieces and more polished accessories
2  Give my room a bit of a facelift. I love the décor in there, but a few things need to be tweaked.
3  Start my JennaSaisQuois YouTube channel - Coming soon!
4  Once the credit card is paid off, start an IRA to save for the future
5  Learn how to blow dry my hair!! This is a basic life skill I do not possess...
6  Take a dance class or something fun to get my body moving
7  Really try to take the subway instead of Uber or a Taxi unless it's an emergency or I'm carrying something heavy
8  Stick with Nutrisystem for at least 4 months (longer than I have ever stuck with a diet ever)
9  Do another KonMari style purge of clothing and other clutter at some point
10  Say THANK YOU more often, which I think is such a simple thing that takes no effort and really makes a difference to people

#Blogmas Day 11: Holiday Wish List - 2016 Planners

It's that time of year where you really start to wrap your head around the fact that it's about to be a new year. Whether you start getting your resolutions ready, or you at least try to get your affairs in order, a new year totally feels like a new beginning. And sometimes even just the feeling of a new beginning is important for keeping things in a busy, overwhelming life feel fresh, new, and fun. This also happens to be the perfect time to start the new year right with a planner. In the digital age, I know my phone and computer calendars keep track of my appointments and office obligations, but there's just something so charming and fun about keeping personal plans, birthdays, and other fun fetes in a beautiful agenda book. And why stop there? There are meal planners, diet planners, grocery planners, even content planners for bloggers and vloggers and people who work from home. I put together a few planners that I either have and am currently using, or have had my eye on for a while now. They would make excellent holiday gifts for someone special who's looking to grab 2016 by the horns and live their best-ever life!

1  Kate Spade 2016 Planners  I'm currently using the gold polka-dotted planner and it makes me so happy to look at it every day.

2  Skinnytaste Meal Planner I've blogged about this before, and I'm loving using it to plan out my meals (and grocery shopping/cooking schedule) for the week.

3  The Erin Condren LifePlanner This planner has a huge cult following on the internet. People create products specifically for it, they blog and vlog about it in Plan With Me videos on YouTube – it is kind of like the Rolls Royce of agendas.

4  Ban.do 2016 Agenda  These are so cute, and the design is flawless. I love the look of these planners, and they come with super cute stickers. This would be an amazing gift for someone in high school or college, but hurry because they are selling out fast!

Meal Planning 101

A recent obsession of mine is weekly meal planning. I've known people, mostly married couples and young families, who were able to save a ton of money by planning and cooking each breakfast, lunch, and dinner for their week. But as a young professional, a New Yorker, and unfortunately a certified takeout queen, could I ever pull this off? The answer is a resounding yes!

I'm more than 3 weeks in now, and have already saved hundreds of dollars, since I was used to buying breakfast ($5+), lunch ($10+), and dinner ($15+) out every single day. Believe me when I tell you that ANYONE can do this, and the savings alone makes it worthwhile. But there are plenty of additional benefits like added nutritional value (this is amazing for dieters), less urge to snack since you know what and when your next meal is coming, and the satisfaction of both learning new recipes and taking pride in everything you put into your body. I am a meal planning believer!

I've been scouting Etsy for some cute printables that will help me in my meal planning endeavors, and I've displayed a few of my faves below. I may eventually DIY something of my own, but wanted to share for those of you who aren't graphic designers!

This week's meals included:
Sweet Cucumber, Red Onion & Dill Salad (Eat Yourself Skinny)
Clean Egg & Zucchini Muffins (Eat Yourself Skinny)
Spinach Lasagna Rolls (Skinnytaste)
Easy Crust-less Spinach & Feta Pie (Skinnytaste)
Squash-tastic Shepherd's Pie (Hungry Girl)

Customizable PDF from AtomicaPress - $6.00

Handmade Item from askingfortrouble - $8.62

Instant Download from SweetPaperTrail - $3.00

Instant Download from LauraDraytonCreative - $10.00

Instant Download from TinyStripes - $5.00

Coming Down the Pipeline

My roommates commented recently how often they've been mentioned in my blog lately (when I actually post, that is...) and all I have to say is, blogging imitates life! Our sometimes-slow-moving home decorating projects are the only blog-worthy thing I have to show for myself lately, and Ryan Dean recently found something so cool on Etsy that I couldn't resist sharing it with all of you.

These industrial-chic storage solutions from StellaBleuDesigns on Etsy are easily the raddest things I've seen lately. If my room didn't look like a 26-year-old's take on the Pottery Barn Kids catalogue (hey, it's a work in progress...) I would have ordered them for myself! But alas, I've realized lately that I am faaaar too girly. And they are perfect for our resident male! I will be so jealous when these arrive and his room looks amazing (and age-appropriate) and just plain cool. I am not 100% certain, but I think he ordered the Industrial Pipe Shelf Level 3 Wood and the Bookshelf Industrial Pipe Mario Bros Finish Line. I am also totally digging the Industrial Pipe Corner Shelf with Pendant Lighting and the Industrial Garment Rack Triple Level. So definitely check out StellaBleuDesigns ASAP if any of these pieces are striking your fancy!

Bookshelf Industrial Pipe Mario Bros

Industrial Pipe Corner Shelf with Pendant Lighting

Industrial Pipe Shelf Level 3 Wood

Industrial Corner Pipe Shelf

Industrial Garment Rack Triple Level

The Final Countdown: 16

Photo for sale at Eye Poetry Photography on Etsy  I  $35.00

  
So we're getting down to the wire here. And I'm going to be very honest with you all. Throughout the entire month of December I've been calm, cool and, for the most part, unaffected by the realization that I'm about to make a pretty drastic move in a few weeks. I was combating stress by packing a little bit each day and using the move as an opportunity to regain control of my ever-growing pile of material possessions. I was unemotional about leaving work and friends. I kept thinking, "Moving to New York is about the easiest life decision I've ever made! Bring it on!"

Uhhh... Let me just tell you, the thin, linen veil separating me and pesky reality is now officially threadbare. My apartment is a mess. My head is in a million different places, none of them productive. I've crossed zero new things off my to-do list since I clued you in with my bragadocious packing tips. And if I don't get back on track in the next few days, I'll be riding to New York on the Hot-Mess-Express train. Wish me luck!

PrismaColor Lust

My jaw hit the floor when I saw this wall display of beautiful PrismaColor Pencils. Since I was little and picking out crayolas during Back-to-School shopping every August, I've always wanted the pack with as many colors as possible. You need to have every available shade, tint and hue at your fingertips, because you never know which one will be just right.

My mom bought me the 132-pack of Prismas when I was about sixteen, and they've survived high school art classes, a 2-year stint as a fine art student, and then made it through design school. Now they sit collecting dust in the box on my desk. Something that beautiful should be hung on the wall for everyone to see...

Photo from here

Hembakat är Bäst...

...Or Homebaked is Best: An IKEA book that I am definitely going to have to pick up (if it's there!) on my trip this Saturday. It includes 30 recipes for homebaked items, photographed by Carl Kleiner and styled by Evelina Bratell. The ingredients are placed in a way I've never seen before, using increments in flour pyramids or tiny mounds of nutmeg, and placed in the most graphic arrangements possible. It really blows my mind, but also makes cooking (probably one of the messiest activities possible) look extremely neat and clean.

{Photos from the website of Carl Kleiner}

Spiral Cellars

I don't know if you guys use Stumble Upon, but it's a fantastic way to kill a few hours, so don't do it unless you have some time! Anyway, things about spiral wine cellars always come up in my stumbles, and these ones from Spiral Cellars in the UK are just so incredible, I had to share!

{Images from Spiral Cellars}

Besides the complete intrigue of having a real live hidden staircase "secret passageway" in your house, it oddly makes me think forward to a distant future where a new civilization will find these remnants of our lives and this very wine cellar will be the equivalent to the discovery of King Tutenkhamun's tomb...Oh how extravagant these modern day Brits are!

Kate Spade Organizer

Why didn't I buy this in January!? I hate half-filled planners, or I would absolutely get it now. It's just delightful.

Amazing Small Space

If you are a city dweller, you are likely trying to make the most of a very small space. Apartment Therapy is hosting a Teeny Tiny Division of their Small Cool Contest, and this particular space caught my eye. It is a super small 1930's cottage in Sausalito, CA and the interior styling is fantastic. I love the use or color to enhance the space. The owner, Beth, really made the most of a 350 square foot space.

{Photos from Apartment Therapy}

Do you have an incredibly rad small space you'd want to enter to the Small Cool Contest? Entry for the 2010 Contest ended on April 19th (sorry!) but keep your eye out for next year's contest. Go here for more details! 

Quest for the Perfect Closet

I, like every other woman lucky enough to have HBO in the early 2000's, quickly became obsessed with the Carrie Bradshaw closet. I just loved the aqua-gray color of it, and that everything seemed to have it's own perfect place. The fact that it was filled with hundreds of thousands of dollars of designer shoes and clothes was another high point. Simply sublime.

I have to complain for a bit that I can not believe she lives in Manhattan and has this kind of closet space, when my own apartment is likely twice as large, and I have 1/8th this kind of glamorous storage. However, a girl can dream, right? Check out this collection of divine closets I've assembled and we can all pretend together!

{Photos: Momoy.com, Charlotte Magazine, Canadian House & Home}

Laundry Room

Living in thee different tiny apartments in Columbus for the past five years has really made me appreciate how great it was to have a washer and dryer available any time of the day that didn't take quarters...I have been thinking a lot about a laundry room of my very own. When I have my own home, I am going all out to make sure my own laundry room is a place I want to spend time. Here are some that I have in mind.

Grocery List

I am always jealous of the women who can plan meals ahead of time, and do their grocery shopping in an organized and efficient way. I usually go to the store when the Lean Cuisines are on sale and stock up for the month, but then again, I'm a single twenty-four year old woman. Perhaps in the New Year, we can all utilize these cute Grocery Lists as seen on Design*Sponge today. And it will knock out several birds with one stone: Eating Healthy, Being Organized, Planning Meals, etc.