The best laid plans

Bonsoir beautifuls! I hope you enjoy the last day of 2010. I can't believe how fast this year went. It feels like we were ringing in the new decade just a few weeks ago. 2010 was a wonderful year for me, filled with a lot of exiting changes, but I plan for 2011 to be even better! I've decided to go out with a bang in 2010 and get a semi-radical hair cut tomorrow. Ok, maybe not even close to radical but anything more than a trim always seems radical to me. If it turns out the way I want it to, then I will have plenty of NYE photos to show you. If it goes badly, well then, I guess I will just take headless outfit photos for awhile :)

So pretty much everyone and their mother has been posting year-end wrap ups and plans for the new year. I'm not usually one to just jump on a bandwagon, but I am kind of a fan of this bandwagon so I thought I would hope on board before it was too late! I truly do feel very good about what I accomplished this year and while I usually don't believe in dwelling on the past, I think it is ok to occasionally reflect and be excited at what the future has to offer at the same time. 2010 was a year of self-discovery and learning. Life has thrown me a few curveballs, but I can honestly say I am very happy with how things have worked at and can't wait to see what will happen next!

Highlights of 2010, in order of occurrence:
1. Gaining a pseudo sister

In January my sweet little cousin moved in with us and it was an adjustment for all of us at first, but I  absolutely love this girl! She has become the sister I never had (and always wanted). We have a blast together doing all kinds of girly stuff I could never do with my brother, and I will miss her oodles when I move out! 

2. Watching Matt pitch at LSU

Watching my little brother pitch is one of my all-time favorite things to do! I am his second (mom is definitely first) biggest fan and this February we all got to see him pitch in front of 7,000 people! It was one of the coolest days ever and he did an amazing job. I am incredibly proud of him all the time, but seeing him on a big screen, performing in front of thousands was just unbelievably wonderful. 

3. Getting my camera and finding a new passion

For my birthday in March, my mom gave me the greatest gift ever: my Nikon D5000! I am completely obsessed with it and it has created a burning passion for photography. I still have SO much to learn, but it has been a fun process experimenting, and getting to do some fun shoots for friends! 

4. Falling in love with my college

Yes, I know this should have happened long before my senior year of college but it really didn't. But it doesn't matter  when it happened, because I was totally head-over-heels in love with Elon by the end. And it is a direct result of the incredible bunch of people above. They will forever be my best friends and they made my senior year unmatchably wonderful! 

5. Graduating college

In May, everything I had worked for academically finally came to fruition as I got to walk across the stage, shake President Lambert's hand and receive my diploma! And I got to do it with my wonderfully supportive family in the audience. The only thing that could have made the day better was if little brother was there, but I know he would have been there if he could.

6. BFF getting married

In June I had the pleasure of standing next to my best friend as she made vows to a wonderful guy who could not be more perfect for her. They had been together since we were 16 and their big day was completely beautiful and I was so blessed to be a part of it. 

7. Starting my first real job

Horrible, horrible picture of me, but it was my first-day-of-work picture that mom insisted on. We have photos just like this from pretty much every year of school, so this major step seemed like it needed to be documented. I have absolutely loved every minute of my 6 months of working for USA Today, and I will love my last 6 months as well. We will see what happens after June.  

8. Spending a week at the beach with great friends

In August little brother and I rented a house on the beach for the week and had an AMAZING time with our friends.  It was one of the best vacations of my life and I made wonderful memories that will forever make me smile. 

9. Starting this blog

My first outfit photo :) I never would have thought that I would be brave enough to start a fashion blog, or to show pictures of my outfits to people I don't know, or that anyone would even want to see them! Most importantly, I never would have known how much joy blogging could bring me. It truly is something I look forward to doing every day, and I have all of you lovelies to thank for that. Even though I have never met any of you (although I hope to change that in 2011), I feel as if I have made some great blogging friends and I hope to strengthen those friendships in the coming year! 

10. Beautiful Stella was born

My current love of life is this little bundle of  joy. I hope that I see a loooot of her in 2011, because I love her so, and her parents (my cousins) are pretty awesome, too!  

11. Acceptance of where my life is and, more importantly, where it isn't quite yet: There isn't a photo for this as it is really more a state of mind. I tend to spend a little too much time focusing on what I don't have, and that is something I wanted to stop in 2010. I would say it has been pretty successful, seeing as I am very happy with my life even if I didn't accomplish every one of my goals this year. I am now able to be comfortable with where I am and accept that everything else will come together in due time.

And of course this post wouldn't be complete without mentioning a sampling of things I hope to accomplish this coming year. If it goes according to plan, 2011 will once again be a year of great change and excitement.

Resolutions for 2011:
1. Work out 4 times a week- Ok, this is totally cliche, but i really do intend to make good on this promise. I have missed having a regular routine and schedule for my exercise since I graduated and stopped swimming.
2. Be 10 pounds thinner by June- Goes along with the first one, but I know I will be interviewing again for my next job and it can't hurt to be a tiny bit skinnier, right!
3. Have 200+ followers before 2012- I am 100% thankful for where my blog is right now after 4 months, but also very excited about the improvements I can make over the next year!
4. Blog quality content daily- Currently I tend to blog every other day, or every 3 days when I am super busy, but I am looking forward to getting to a point when I am blogging daily.
5. Land a permanent job that I love- The job I currently have is a one year fellowship, so my time is up in June. My goal is to have something else lined up that I love just as much after June. Cross your fingers for me, please?
6. Move into my own place in DC with Sam- I am officially moving out of my mom's house in the beginning of February, but I'm not moving far. My friend Sam and I are temporarily staying in my grandmother's old condo until we both have stable jobs and can afford a fabulous place in DC. Can't wait for that day!!
7. Cook twice a week- I really love cooking, but don't do nearly enough of it. I am determined to try out many new recipes this year and experiment more in the kitchen.
8. Do a major closet cleanse- I have waaaay too many items hanging in my closet that I don't ever wear anymore and I think it is time for a major clothing overhaul.
9. Find my next great love- Ok, so I know this one can't really be planned but a girl can hope, right! My love life has been absolutely dead for two years and I would really love to not be able to say that next year.
10. I don't have a number 10, but it just seemed weird to end the list on 9 soooo pretend that I have a number 10, please?

Ok, my loves I wish you all a blessedly happy New Years Eve and can't wait to see photos from your festivities! I will be ringing in the New Year with those same awesome people I went to the beach with and I am definitely looking forward to it. What plans do you girls have? Keeping it low key, or going all out for 2011?

Bisous!