New Year, New Goals!

I usually write up my goals for the new year on New Year's Day but this year I decided to take some time to myself yesterday.  If you're a long time reader, then you know that I don't make resolutions.  Instead, I take my cue from Write It Down, Make It Happen, and write down what I want to happen in the new year.  I didn't accomplish everything I wrote down last year but I knew that 2010 was going to be a year of planting seeds that would eventually bloom in 2011.  I already have so many things planned that I'm very excited for January, usually not my favorite month due to the weather.  So instead of focusing on negative resolutions that we all inevitably break, I like to focus on the positive.  Here's to a great new year for all of us!

1. I will continue to build my business and blog in 2011.  This was first on my list last year and will always an ongoing process.  I'm so grateful to all the sponsors who have signed on and allowed me to spend time on blogging, all the clients who hired me to design their homes, all my loyal readers, and all the wonderful people I met last year.  I can't wait to see what happens this year!
2. I will travel more in 2011!  This is always on my list too but I hope to take more time to get away this year.  I already have a trip to Miami and a cruise scheduled for the beginning of February so I feel like I'm starting out on the right foot. 
3. I will have my book proposal picked up in 2011.  I already met with a publisher and have been contacted by many others.  I have decided to work with a collaborator since I realized that I have no idea what I'm doing and I'm excited to finally present my ideas. 
4. I will contribute to ELLE DECOR in 2011.  I've already been asked to write for the website and have pitched an amazing house of a friend for the magazine so I can't wait to get started on this task.  ELLE DECOR has the most similar aesthetic to my blog and I've always wanted to contribute and am beyond excited to be working with them!
5. I will design another bachelor pad in 2011.  I really enjoy designing for men and would love to pick up another male client. I interviewed for one but the owner ended up being transferred for work.  If anyone knows of anyone who needs help, please send them my way!
6. I will date more in 2011!  I used to joke that my not having a boyfriend was not for a lack of trying.  Well, I couldn't really say that last year since all I did was focus on work.  I will definitely be making time for my personal life and if anyone knows anyone for this goal, feel free to let me know! Bonus points if they have all their own hair and an accent!
7. I will take a class in 2011.  This one is always on my list and I have yet to take French lessons or learn more about antiques.  I'll see if I can finally check this off my list in 2011.
8. I will schedule more Sunday brunches in 2011.  This seems like a silly goal but sometimes it's more fun to make time to relax with friends on a Sunday than to schedule a dinner or a lunch during the work week. 
9. I will wear more color in 2011.  I used to wear more color but somehow along the way, my winter closet has become a sea of grey with a little plum thrown in as an accent.  Not very exciting.  Maybe I should buy a red dress to help with goal #6. 
10. I will be really happy in 2011! I can already tell this is going to be a great year!

Even though this is a little late, I'm going to leave you with the same quote from Edith Lovejoy Pierce that I left you with last year. "We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day!" Happy New Year!

Attitude of Gratitude

The best part of Thanksgiving is that it has traditionally been a non-commercial holiday.  Well, until stores decided to open this year but I digress.  Thanksgiving is a day when you don't have to do anything but spend time eating and watching the parade and football with those we care about.  It is always nice to take a moment though to think about all that you have to be thankful for this year.  I am always thankful for my fabulous friends and family and wonderful readers.  I've received so many wonderful emails lately and it is always nice to know that all the hard work that goes into the blog is appreciated by others. 

The last chapter of the book Write It Down, Make It Happen is entitled Giving Thanks.  "When you remember to say thanks, when you live your life in a spirit of gratefulness, life will present you with even more things for which to be grateful."  Just a little something to think about on this day of Thanksgiving. 

Photo from Martha Stewart

New Year, New You!

If you fall asleep in the bathtub on New Year's Eve, this is probably how you will feel in the morning! As we begin this New Year, I am reminded of a quote from Anne of Green Gables, "Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet." But in this case, we have a whole year and more excitedly a whole decade with no mistakes in it yet! It is a great time to think about the bad habits we want to leave in 2009 and what we would like to accomplish in 2010! For some of you, that mean after your head stops throbbing but it's never too late!

I wrote about Write It Down, Make It Happen in my New Year’s Day post two years ago and I think it's worth talking about again. I often make lists of the things that I want to do and I think they definitely help me achieve my goals and keep myself on track. This book is filled with the inspirational stories that we can all use to motivate ourselves. Instead of focusing on the negative New Year's resolutions, it is definitely more fun to focus on the positive things you want to accomplish in 2010.

1. I will continue to build my business and blog in 2010. I have a lot of great things in the works for 2010 and I can't wait to share them with you. I've worked really hard for the past two years and it's nice to finally see some rewards coming!
2. I will find a business manager in 2010! I will find someone to help me with the aspects of my business that are better left to an expert! If I was interested in business, I would have majored in it instead of art history. I know where my strengths lie and this is not one of them!
3. I will either move to a bigger apartment or get an office in 2010. I have fabric samples overtaking my apartment on a daily basis so it would be nice to more space for them! I have discussed sharing an office with a few other designers so that is another fun option. Working alone is hard for all of us and it would be nice to be able to bounce ideas off another person or just commiserate.
4. I will figure out how to have someone help me in 2010. I have a lot of people offering to work for me but as some of you can relate, it's hard to let go and hard to figure out what to delegate when you have been doing all the work yourself. I don't think I could ever let someone else help me with my blog but it would be nice to have someone around to return fabric samples or write up purchase orders! Of course, this would be a lot easier with the office!
5. I will travel more in 2010! I felt really guilty taking time off in 2009 since I was the one doing everything. If I have help and someone to mid the store, so to speak, while I'm gone, it would be easier to get away. Travel is so inspiring and motivating and I really need to make it a priority!
6. I will make money from my blog in 2010! Contrary to popular belief, I don't make a lot of money off my blog but that is going to change in 2010! I'm making it a top priority!
7. I will volunteer more in 2010! I support a lot of charities but I don't often have time to volunteer in person. It is my goal this year to follow through on my plan to create a Habitually Chic Cares volunteer day where my readers and I can make a difference for a local organization!
8. I will take a class in 2010! I keep saying that I am going to take a French class so I can improve my skills and finally become fluent and I hope I can make that happen this year!
9. I will not sweat the small stuff in 2010! Nuff said!
10. I will be really happy in 2010! I can already tell this is going to be a great year!

As my friends can attest, I am a big proponent of the power of positive thinking and on that note, I leave you with the following quote from Edith Lovejoy Pierce, "We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day!

Top Image by Pamela Hanson