B+ GOALS: APRIL

It's that time again! I'm getting in the loop with Sarah R. Bagley and Teaching Sam and Scout as I review my "Better Done Than Perfect" goals from last month and the goals I'm working on this month.

Spoiler Alert: Last month was not one for the books. Well, not for a positive book. Maybe if it was a book about not achieving anything you set out to do and feeling like crap all month long. Because that would be a TRUE STORY. Onward and upward guys, ONWARD AND UPWARD.

Let' check in with March's fails goals, shall we?

1. Stay on top of our schedule. F. Seriously, pneumonia? It. Is. The. Worst. There was no schedule that was broken this month, no routine that wasn't disrupted. But it's okay.

2. Stay on top of orders and figure out a work plan for the Etsy shop. F. I put the shop in vacation mode to get my work plan figured out. The plan was to take a week to get things settled and planned accordingly. And then I got sick and it just stayed in vacation mode with no plan whatsoever. I've reopened it, but still need to figure out my plan.

3. Run at least 1 time a week. F. HAHAHAHAHA. No.

4. Start working on a community project that I dreamed up. Incomplete. I did actually start working on this. And then, you guessed it, I got sick.

5. Finish the last two books in my Reading Challenge. A. Yes, I did accomplish something! Bedrest provided reading time. I loved Masterminds and Wingmen (review to come). The less we talk about Great Expectations, the better. Never again, Dickens, NEVER AGAIN.

So! Let's move on to April, where my main goals are a) not to have pneumonia, and b) to accomplish more than one thing all month. But let's get down to the details:

1. Stay on top of our daily schedule AND make a solid work plan for the Etsy shop. You see what I did there? I combined two failed goals into one! It's like I'm a glutton for punishment.

2. Keep working on my community project.

3. Exercise two time a week. I still not up for running, but I've started yoga again and have been browsing my Tone It Up workouts. A goal of two times a week shouldn't be too hard! Let us hope.

4. Eat Whole30 Monday-Thursday. I feel SO MUCH better when I eat Whole30, especially cutting dairy, sugar, and alcohol. I haven't been off the rails, but I like the idea of having this as a goal. Weekends I can feel free to enjoy a glass of wine or a cheeseburger, but sticking with Whole30 meals during the week will make those indulgences and not the norm.

5. Plan out my garden. I love my garden and planning for it. Spring has come a little early this year, and I can't wait to get out there and start planning things!

6. Participate in the #RockYourHandwriting challenge on Instagram. I'm loving my bullet journal and am excited to be following along in this daily challenge to use it.

There you have it, my goals for April! Don't forget to check out Sarah and E's goals!

 

FAVORITE THINGS: MARCH 2016

Guys, March pretty much kicked my butt. I had pneumonia, it was still snowing, I ate like crap, and...just...blah. But! I also tried new recipes, worked in my bullet journal, and slept a lot. Let's look at my favorite things for March, shall we?

Favorite Thing I Read: Masterminds & Wingmen, by Rosalind Wisemen Being sick this month, I read A LOT of books, but this was the stand out. It was part of my Reading Challenge, and it's a book that I've been meaning to read for years. I learned so much about raising boys, the challenges they face, and the ways we can help them succeed. I highly suggest this book if you have boys or teach them. Eye opening and soundly written.

Favorite Beauty Thing: Maybelline Ruby Star red lipstick Perfect shade of red

Favorite Thing For Learning New Things: the Duolingo App. I'm bushing up on my Spainish (I haven't worked on it since high school) and this language app is FREE, and totally helpful! It provided quick, 5 minute, practical lessons that you can just do right on your phone. After I drop the kids at school and before I head to work, I just sit down with a cup of coffee and do my lesson. I love it.

Favorite Thing I'm Drinking: Tazo teas. There was a lot of tea this month.

Favorite Recipe: Cooking Light's one pot pasta. EVERYONE loved it. I'm so glad I subscribed to this magazine again; they've really stepped up their game.

Favorite Thing For an Organized Life: Dave Ramsey Budgeting Sheets We've followed the Dave Ramsey Plan for years, but had started slacking on sitting down and doing out actual budget plan every month. We've gotten back into the habit this year and these budget sheets are what we use.

Favorite Thing I'm Wearing: J. Crew Factory Chambray Button Down Perfection AND it's on sale.

That's all I got this month! Check back Friday for a B+ Goals recap and see my new ones for April!

B+ GOALS: MARCH

We're finally done with February, the longest short month of the year! Let's check in with February's Goals:

1. Keeping my car clean. Yeah, we'll go with a C- here, because while I cleared out all the trash the first week of the month, that was the only week I made an extra effort. It basically stayed clean this month but mostly because we've had mild weather. Womp womp.

2. Get a haircut. A+! Did it, love it!

3.Work on active listening. I really worked hard at this one. I actively stopped what I was doing to listen to my kids and my husband. This is a goal that is a constant work in progress. B+.

4. Daily Chores. This worked out so well! My chart made things much easier, plus I would included my "Daily Chore" in my bullet journal everyday as part of a things to do list. A+

5. Figure out a work plan for the Etsy shop. Um, I figured out my shipping days schedule and managed to miss it only once. Still need some work here, plus I really want to roll out some new designs that I've been thinking about. C

So! March's goals are:

1. Stay on top of our schedule. The husband was away for over a month and with him coming home our schedule got out of whack. (Not complaining! It's totally a normal part of military life.) It's time to ease back into our regular daily routine.

2. Stay on top of orders and figure out a work plan for the Etsy shop. Like I said, I want to roll out some new designs, and just overall focus a little more on the shop. I also need to stay on top of orders because there are weeks that I feel like I'm scrambling and overwhelmed to get everything out on time.

3. Run at least 1 time a week. Oh it seems so small doesn't it? ONE time a week. But getting to the gym (the weather is still too cold for me personally to run at 5am in the morning outside) is not an easy feat. Saturday morning run is my goal. I like to listen to Sarah R Bagley podcasts while I run, which makes it feel like indulgent me time.

4. Start working on a community project that I dreamed up. Details to come!

5. Finish the last two books in my Reading Challenge. I'll be honest, I am dreading Great Expectations.

Don't forget to check out Sarah R Bagley and E over at Teaching Sam and Scout for their B+ Goals!

FAVORITE THINGS: FEBRUARY 2016

I'm not sure how this happens, but despite the fact that February is the shortest month of the year, it always feels like about 5 months. I mean, guys, IT'S STILL FEBRUARY. Things were sluggish this month for me. But I read good books, drank nice wine, the husband came home after a month away, and I heard great things about both kids at parent teacher conferences. So, February, you will not defeat me. 

But, buh bye. See you on the flip side, February.

Favorite Thing I'm Wearing: Seamed Blouse from Loft  I love this top. It wears gorgeously, washes up great, and is ON SALE, It looks great with jeans and dressed up. You should get one!

Favorite Beauty Thing: Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream I've always had sensitive skin, and the past couple years have really brought out redness in my face. I picked up this cream after reading raving reviews about it and I have to say that the reviews are correct. It really evens out my redness, and isn't heavy. I put it on twice a day and it hasn't irritated my skin at all.

Favorite Thing I'm Eating: Harvest Snaps Snap Crisps (lightly salted picture, but cracked black pepper is soooo good that I have already eaten them all) These things are delicious and addictive, That is all.

Favorite Thing For an Organized Life: Bullet Journal Have you heard of bullet journaling? I just started it a couple weeks ago and let me tell you, THIS IS MY THING. All your lists, thoughts, to-do's in one places with a symbol system. Yes, yes, YES.

Favorite Thing For a Healthy Life: Water Bottle with a Straw I had been slacking on my water intake, which I'm normally really good about. I realized that I had changed what kind of water bottle I was using, that my previous one had had a straw. So I just picked this new one up at Target. And that little straw helps me drink more water. Random, but it works.

Favorite Things I Read:

Books:
Brooklyn, Colm Toibin (Reading Challenge Book, loved it)
Smart Money Smart Kids, Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze (Reading Challenge Book)
All The Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr (reread for pure pleasure, one of the best books I have ever read)

Websites:
Go Fug Yourself

Goodreads 

Coffee + Crumbs

Favorite Things I Listened To:

Sarah R. Bagley Podcast

No Doubt Pandora Station (90's girl lead singer groups for the win)

Favorite Things I Watched:

Misty Copeland: A Ballerina's Tale

Downton Abbey (there's only ONE left and I don' know what I'm going to do)

Hope you're February was lovely. Check back in tomorrow for B+ Goals!

READING LIST: WHAT WE'VE BEEN READING IN JANUARY

Kids: Home by Carson Ellis

 

 

Carson Ellis is one of my favorite illustrators and I immediately snatched this book up when I saw it on a shelf at our local bookstore. The story about different homes is sweet and funny and the illustrations are lovely.

 

 

Me: Humans of New York Stories, Brandon Stanton

 

 

 Do you follow Humans of New York? You should. Brandon Stanton is a photographer and story teller who photographs individuals and then tells a story from their lives. Stories is a completion of the webpage. I finished this in one lazy afternoon; the stories and photographs are equally beautiful, tragic, funny, and touching.

 

Better Than Before, Gretchen Rubin

 

I finished Better Than Before (check off one of the B+ Goals for this month!) and I absolutely loved it. It totally resonated with me-figure out your personality tendency and build your goals from there. Reading about people's tendencies was fascinating; I could immediately see not only myself but my husband and best friends crystal clear in the descriptions (I'm an upholder-by FAR, the husband is a questioner.). By knowing my tendency, I've been applying a lot of her other ideas to my life and it's a game changer. I highly suggest this book if your looking for a way to figure out better habits and how to stick to them!

 

I've started the next book in my Reading Challenge and will probably be finished with it soon; it's a good one!

 

What are you reading?

2016 READING CHALLENGE // PART 1

 

Welcome to the first annual June November 2016 Reading Challenge! As I mentioned in my B+ Goals for January, reading is an important part of my well being. It's one of the things that truly brings me enjoyment. And while I have always taken time to read, I'm feeling a little stale. I reread a lot (I may know Anne of Green Gables by heart), but I need to branch out and read more new books. I also want to add more non fiction to my reading list this year and really try to enjoy it.

 

I'm setting up a reading challenge for myself by choosing a theme for each month of this year, here are the first six themes:

 

-A book to inspire me

-A book given to me by someone else

-A book about finances

-A book I've been wanting to read but haven't

-A book that I've started but haven't finished

-A book that's a classic

 

And here are my choices:

 

 

To Inspire: Better Than Before, Gretchen Rubin

This book about habits is, so far, amazing. I loved the The Happiness Project and this follow up book by Rubin isn't disappointing. It feels like a real game changer.

 

Given To Me: Circling the Sun, Paula McLain

My husband gave this to me for Christmas and I can't wait to read it. I loved The Paris Wife (also by McLain) and am looking forward to this story. Plus, Downton Abbey is getting ready to end this season (NOOOOOO!) and I'll need a 1920's lifestyle story to replace it.

 

Finances: Smart Money Smart Kids, Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze

The husband and I have taken Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace course and it was a big eye opener. We've followed his practices since. I've been eyeing this book written by him and his daughter for some time and am looking forward to reading it and applying the lessons to our kids in money management.

 

Wanting but Haven't: Brooklyn, Colm Toibin

I want to read this before I see the movie, which looks lovely.

 

Haven't Finished: Masterminds and Wingmen, Rosalind Wiseman

I've mentioned before that I've been reading this on and off. Well, I've been reading it on and off for over year :/. Time to buckle down and finish it!

 

A Classic: Great Expectations, Charles Dickens

Confession: I've never read any Dickens (except A Christmas Carol). It's time!

 

I'd love for you to join me in the 2016 Reading Challenge! I'll be posting updates throughout the year and would love to see what you're reading too.