New Year Resolution Updates and July Thursday Thankfulness

I saw these cool flowers on a walk.

So these were my new years resolutions and I'll let you know how I think I'm doing:

Exercise Four Times a Week and Stamp Every Day on My WiiFitU Calendar

Um. I stopped playing WiiFit because our neighbor went crazy on Hubs and said we were too noisy. My knee started hurting so I stopped running. I did discover that I had four paid for classes to use up at a local Yoga studio so I've been doing Yoga once a week. But, the only class that works with my work schedule is the gentle one, last week we didn't even stand up. I've started going on walks during my lunch at work in an effort to get up to 10,000 steps a day. I've also been using ClearSky's Pushup, Situp, and Squat apps. I will start doing more exercise after we move. I was so excited to read Ashliegh's post on the Darling Daily about Reflexion Yoga. I don't know if there's a Yoga studio in our new town so I'll sample their at home classes. 

Eat Less Sugar

Um. OMG so much stress eating and that's mostly sugar.

They do taste just like the girl scout cookies.
I did eat the whole box in one afternoon.
It was a rough day.

Use My Clarisonic Five Times a Week

I've been using it everyday I wear make up. So at least once a week.

I couldn't decide what dress to wear, so I wore them all.
#lillypulitzer

Floss 80% of the Time

Oh. I am so off track in this department. Like, I don't even know what floss is anymore.

My 4th of July OOTD
The fireworks were postponed 'til Labor Day Weekend.
The filter I used made it look sunny.

Drink 8 Cups of Water a Day

I think I am meeting this goal during the week thanks to my trusty camel bak. I've stopped tracking how much water I drink. I guess I need to get one of these fancy cups so that I don't have to self report.

I wanted this so bad and I found it on eBay!

Practice Gratitude and Minimize Envy

Um. I've been so bad with my good things journal as you can see below. I do think that I am slowly coming to terms with that fact that I am poorer money wise than I expected to be by this point in my life. Although I've been having mini freak outs since my cousin-in-law told us she was expecting. I am now officially too old to have the four kids I wanted spaced two years apart.

I love this blouse. It is machine washable silk.

SAVE $ FOR A HOUSE

Moving is expensive and we are moving to a new more expensive house. Hopefully the fact that our commutes will be shorter will help. I will recalibrate our budget once we move in and figure out how much the utilities there will cost. The house is being switched from oil heat to gas so we have no idea how much our heat will cost this winter.

Try to Spend Less on Beauty Products

I've tried out Boots Expert Sensitive Hydrating Eye Cream, Maybelline® Instant Age Rewind® Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in Honey, and e.l.f Mineral Face Primer. None of them irritate my skin. The e.l.f. primer is great for $6 and I will probably keep using it until after we've saved up for a house. I still prefer my tarte primer because it is more mattifying and it's made without "yucky" chemicals. When it comes to eyes I only care about what happens to my dark circles. Neither the eye cream nor the concealer seem to make my dark circles less noticeable over the long run, about a week. So I will probably test out a different eye cream after I use this tube up.

I'm also bummed because I've heard wonderful reviews of the Age Rewind Concealer and I'm not sure it will work for me. I actually like the applicator for the Age Rewind concealer, it seemed weird at first, but the color seems to be a bit too light for me and I am pretty sure I bought it in the darkest color offered. (And, I thought I was so pasty.) I can't try out a darker color and see if it works better. I think this might be perfect for me in February so I will hold on to it. What do you guys think?

My no makeup face!

Just the concealer in the same lighting.

My made up face in natural morning sunlight
and the morning fluorescent light of my office.

Is the concealer too light or is it just almost to light? I think it looks okay in natural light but hideous in office light. I've also tried layering my tinted moisturizer over it to tone it down a bit and that seems to work well but I had been applying concealer second to last so I have to rethink my beauty routine.

EDIT I've taken a picture comparing my old concealer, Lancôme Maquicomplet Complete Coverage Concealer in Caramel (right), to the new stuff (left).

Be Nicer to Mr. H.

I've been stressed out and mean lately. I really need to figure out how not to worry about the upcoming move and my parents.

This is a midday top underneath one of my favorite shifts.
I've had the top for years and haven't quite figured out
how to style it. I like it because it's like a sailor dress.

Don't Stop Myself Because of Fear

I have no clue. Hubs and I went to a presentation to learn about how to fill out the form to become foster parents.

I got this tweed jacket from the Talbots' Red Hanger Sale
(It's still happening and I think sale is 50% off!)

The Good Things I Managed to Capture in the Notes on my Phone this Month
June 27 - Quiet party in our apartment with friends.
June 28 - Maybe TMI! My period was unexpectedly heavy last night and I stained my new Lilly Pulitzer Lobstah Roll shorts. An overnight soak in oxy clean has them as good as new. I am so happy.
June 29 - I spent the day with Hubs and it was so nice. We saw X Men: Days of Future Past and I made muffins.
July 1- Hubs had dinner ready when I got home
July 2 - I had a fun day at work because everyone was in an incredibly sociable mood.

I loved the jacket so much I wore it two days in a row.
I work at a remote location with different people one
day a week so only the internet and I know I repeated it.

July 5 - There was a man withal parrot on his shoulder at the farmers' market.
July 6 - Hubs and I played Mario Kart together.
July 7 - I figured out what was going on with the templates on my work computer. I used terminal to I unhide all the folders and I found them and then I just changed that folder to be not hidden. So I can delete the templates that I make and do not like now.
July 29 - I found my pedometer in the couch. I thought I lost it at the beach.

My view right now. We start moving in to our new place tomorrow!

tabbar tabbar!

June Thankful Thursday + Best of Instagram

June 1 - I wore my Lilly Pulitzer Memsey dress for the first time! I bought it about four years ago, it's always been a little too big until now.

The Cards I bought for E3 and then forgot.

June 2 - While I didn't get to go to the warehouse sale, I got to meet another Lilly Lover. Her brother is in the same club as  E3 and is graduating with her this year so we met at their club BBQ.

June 3 - I now have Lobstah Roll Callahans. My first LP purchase of the summer.

June 4 - Umm I fell asleep at work and didn't get in trouble?

Almost an OOTD
Vintage the Lilly Skirt

June 6 - I learned the difference between Times and Times New Roman and I figured out how to rearange my desk so I didn't keep hitting my knee on the keyboard holder I never use.

June 7 - Reunion!

Evening Out Tan Lines from Reunion

June 8 - I donated playlets and went to Pink Tangerine. It was so good to have time to myself. FYI The Butler is not a happy movie. Nobody told me the man's son was a freedom rider! It was scary learning about what they went thru by reading books about what happened to them and it was absolutely terifiying to watch.

June 9 - Started a cleanse! So excited to get back to eating healthy and exercising and maybe (hopefully loosing some weight).

My Voting OOTN
I can jog to my polling place.

June 10 - I am thankful I can vote.

June 11 - I started doing a 5k plan on RunKeeper.

June 12 - My eyes haven't gotten any worse. I had a good day at work. I made a difference.

June 14 - I got a haircut and finally made it to the farmers market. Cheese curds FTW!

Healthy Clean Dinner from the Farmer's Market
Kohlrabi Root (with Onions) and Greens with Pork Loin

June 18 - Down 5 pounds! I'm back at what seems like average for me weight wise. We'll credit the Advocare Herbal Cleanse for motivating me.

June 19 - The little hotel we stayed at near Logan was so nice. It was nice to spend time with the Hubs too!

A Lilly skirt that I've had for a years but this was
the first time I wore it out of the house.

June 20 - Our flight home was great. We got Krispy Kreme doughnuts hot out of the fryer. I put my contacts in a public bathroom and I didn't shower first thing in the morning (when we woke up at 3:45 AM). This is a big improvement for a germaphobe like me.

June 20 - Culver's frozen custard!

June 22 - Dinner with Dad at Ron of Japan. I meet E2's me boyfriend and liked him. He seems like a keeper too.

June 23 - Hubs and I got to spend extra time together in a plane on a runway. We had dinner at Sonic and it was super delicious and wonderful.

June 24 - I did not fall asleep at work despite staying up until 1/2 AM.

June 25 - Hubs and I had lunch together at She Dosen't Like Guthries. Lunch was delicious. So grateful for my hour long lunch.

My New High Score!

Happy Mothers' Day

My mom and me in Santorini with my Grandma (behind the Camera) after my Freshman Year of College.

In Honor of Mothers' Day I'm republishing something I wrote on my mother's birthday a few years ago. That day was her birthday and the day I was sworn in as an attorney and so in Boston, the place where America started, and I wrote about how important my mom was to getting me there.

Today was my mother's birthday and it was the day I got sworn in as an attorney in the State of Massachusetts!

None of this would have been possible without my mom (and my dad too but it's not his birthday). She is a wonderful role model and example. 

She taught me to be curious and explore things, since she is a surgeon she usually demonstrated in a sciencey way. I remember her helping me and my sisters dissect a mouse that had drowned in our pool and one Thanksgiving she helped us examine the turkey giblets and told us what the equivalent organs did in people. While I didn't become a doctor these experiments fostered my interest in knowing things and understanding how things work. She read me books when I was little and taught me to read which is a skill I used every day to get myself through law school. She taught me to always be prepared by packing lots of toys and activity books to play with on plane rides and long car trips. Being prepared is a very important skill for an attorney. 

Most importantly, her example showed me the value of hard work and education and taught me that I could be anything I wanted to be and that my opportunities were not limited because of my gender or sex. Everything that I've accomplished so far would not have been possible without her support.

Happy Mothers' Day Mom! I am so thankful you are my mother.

April Thankful Thursday

Things I'm Thankful For
3/28 Hubs was so nice about cheering me up when he got home. I had such a rough day for no reason in particular but he made me feel better. I am so thankful that he's a part of my life.

Alumni Dinner OOTN

3/29 It was sunny and warm and we went for a walk and got Frosty's Doughnuts! I sold over $1,000 worth of stuff on eBay in the past two days.
3/30 The vegan red beans and rice were delicious

No Socks for the First Time this Year

3/31 I learned a lot at the mortgage regulations CLE and it was great to see some of my classmates.
4/1 Free slushie!
4/2 I did a lot of work for the freelance project I have.
4/3 My job interview didn't go horribly.

4/4 We are making more on the side than I thought so I can take that into account in our budget and get more contact lenses this year. I caught up on my social media stuff!
4/7 Discovered Call the Midwife! Such a good show (I love my BBC period pieces)! It's on Netflix.
4/10 Alumni Dinner. I am proud of how much personal growth I've had in the past couple of years. I am a grown up.

4/11 I tried a new coffee house in town. I wore sandals for the first time ever this year!
4/12 Hubs has a new suit that fits and isn't black! I couldn't stand him wearing his black suit to weddings.
4/14 I have two job interviews this week! One over the phone and one in person.
4/15 I went to a carrer developing networking session.

#aprilinmaine It snowed on the 16th.

4/16 I thought my phone interview went well!
4/17 I had my in person interview.

Easter OOTD
Busting out My White Jeans Before Memorial Day

4/18 I went to a brown bag lunch with other attorneys, Judges, and Justices! I felt so good to go to meet people and learn a lot.
4/19 I started seeds for our garden.
4/21 I wasn't able to give my blood but that mean I could hang out with our friends that afternoon.

4/22 I have a job offer and I accepted!
4/23 I had a great time at the Junior Leauge Meet and Greet for Prospective New Members. Plus I found Cadbury mini eggs and Starburst jelly beans for Hubs!

New Years Resolution Updates
April was a tough month for me for some reason so I haven't been good at challenging myself or minimizing my envy. I didn't do a good job of sitting down and writing what I've been thankful for everyday, as you can see. I didn't get much exercising in but I had been doing a better time logging my food consumption. I have been having such a hard time drinking enough water!

How was your month? Are you excited for May?

March Thankful Thursday

Wore this Gap dress and Ugg boots to the last JL meeting of February.

Thankful Things
2/27 The upside of being super tiered, it was so easy to fall asleep!
2/28 I got two of my research projects done and applied to a job. I felt really productive.
3/3 Watched Dredd with Hubs. It was a great movie.
1/5 ET and BB made us dinner at their new place in the city. Got to play Apple to Apples with them and JR.

The City Skyline at Night

3/6 Hung out with Aunt F in the city! She showed me around Dad's office with the hope that I can help out. Then I saw her office and then we went to E2's apartment.
3/7 Spent the afternoon with JS, AT, my mom, and JS' mom. Then our families had a lovely dinner at their apartment.
3/8 Steak n Shake garlic burger and a Heath Bar shake.
3/10 So blessed! I busted out of the aiport and got to the bus stop at 6:34. The bus came at 6:38. I didn't have to wait for the 7:35 bus like I thought I'd have to.
3/11 I love my family but it's so nice to be home and with Hubs again.
3/12 Got new insurance for my car and started to register it here in Maine.
3/13 Snowday! Hubs stayed home with me!

My OOTN for the JL Event

3/14 Went to the JL's big annual event tonight! I was so excited to go.
3/15 I listed so many things on eBay and three had bids by the end of the day. Money in the bank for the Lilly Pulitzer warehouse sale in June!
3/16 So productive around the house today. I took care of so many chores and I am so happy the house is clean.

Everything I sold on eBay!

3/17 Two to three weeks until my next allergy shot!
3/19 I got my car back from the shop! It smells like nail polish inside but the big yellow scrape on the side of the car is gone!
3/20 We went to see my SIL's play. It was nice to be supportive and have something to do. (The play wasn't very good and there were other issues besides.)
3/21 My breaks got fixed so my car could pass inspection! I can't get pulled over because I have expired plates or lack an inspection sticker now!

My OOTN for Hubs' Birthday

3/22 We celebrated Hubs' Birthday with friends.
3/23 We celebrated Hubs' birthday with his parents. SIL made a great cake for him.
3/24 I mailed off a bunch of things I sold on eBay. So happy for the money and to clear out my closet.
3/25 I got to talk to my grandma on the phone. I was so glad to talk to her since I wasn't able to see her when I visited home.
3/26 I learned a lot a the JL meeting this evening.

New Year's Resolution Update

I've been so bad about exercising but I started playing Wii Fit again this week and I hope to keep up the good work playing it. I haven't been eating less sugar since I went home for a trip and then we had so many sweets for Hubs birthday extravaganzas. I have started using my Fitness Pal again to track calories and sugar again. When I went home I noticed my jeans were too tight so I measured my dimensions and my thighs were an inch thicker. I assume it's all fat so I am counting calories in addition to sugar. I'm flossing and using my clarisonic about 75% of the time I think, I'm not tracking it anymore. I am drinking more water than I used to but I'm not sure I'm getting 8 cups everyday, most days I do though. It used to be so easy for me to get 10 cups a day. I have no idea what happened to me. I'm still flu of envy sometimes and I am not sure if I've increased my happiness with my own life. I am going to need to replace my primer soon! I had been using Tarte's Clean Slate Primer. I really like it and I think it is my favorite beauty product hands down but I'd like to find something that costs less than $30 for an ounce. I've already scoped out Target to see what primer options they have. I'll need to renew my focus on being nicer to Hubs in April.

I've been hiding under a rock from my life lately. I need to get out there and do something with it. I've been afraid to sign up for CLE (continuing legal education) things because they cost money. But I need to sign up for CLEs to meet people and learn about things I didn't study in school. I've been dragging my feet about finding out how to hang out my own shingle. I am just so afraid of messing up or doing something embarrassing that I haven't done anything. I feel paralyzed with indecision. I feel like I can blame a good portion of this on family stress but I can't let what other people are doing stop me from doing what I need to do with my life. I've got to figure out how to break through this.

How was your month? How are you doing with your new years resolutions or other goals you may have?

February Thankful Thursday and Best of Instagram

Blood Donation OOTD
Ugg boots are the best at keeping my freezing feet warm.
Wearing short sleeves so the nurses can get at my veins.

1/30 I found a job listing I was excited about and I applied for it.
1/31 I donated blood. I was able to find a great use for the kitchen style crushed tomatoes I bought by accident.
2/1 Hubs and I watched a movie together. Our friends came over and we went to Tim Horton's.
2/2 We Skyped with our college friends while watching the Super Bowl.
2/3 I went to a job fair and wrote a cover letter for a real lawyer job!

Our Backyard on One of the Snow Days

2/4 I called my old nanny for her birthday. I got a call back from one of the recruiters at the job fair. It's not a lawyer job but it is a job.
2/5 Snow day! Hubs stayed home.
2/6 I have an interview with a firm! I got more contract work. I did five loads of laundry.

Bundling Up! Dressing in the Winter is a Multi Step Process
Wool Socks, Long Under Wear, Regular Clothes,
Warm Sweaters, and Arctic Rated Outwear Wear

2/7 I had my last shot before I move on to matinence allergy shots! I had a nice chat with the director of career servicces at the law school and got more books about hanging out my own shingle.
2/8 We went to Five Guys and OrangeLeaf (froyo) with Hubs' collegues.
2/9 I sold two things on eBay! Yeah for money!
2/10 I had my second shift as a volunteer tax preparer. Hubs and I had some good quality time together.

My Interview OOTD & Rocking my New Hair Cut

2/11 Got a great hair cut! I am so happy to have a stylist I trust.
2/12 I had two job interviews and I heard that another application would be passed on to the hiring manager. I took charge at the the Junior League New Member Meeting and rallied my subcommittee.
2/13 Snowday! Hubs came with me to the allergist so I got to sit with him while they waited to see if I had a systematic reaction. I am starting on the most concentrated vial of immunotherapy and soon I won't need shots every week.

2/14 Snowday! Ben bought me doughnuts and Dunkin gave us a carnation. (The carnation ended up lasting over a week and a half!)
2/15
2/16 We watched Minority Report together. It was a good interesting movie.
2/17 I watched Despicable Me 2 while donating blood. So funny!
2/19 We went to the theater and watched the Lego Movie. It was great! We got fresh snow. I just love fresh snow.
2/20 I got a free slushie at the gas station.

Random OOTD #lillypulitzer #jcrew #tiffanys

2/21 Looked at office space and started trying to get a quote for malpractice insurance.
2/22 It was warm (45) and we went for a walk. It was nice.
2/23 We went sledding.

An Abandoned Factory.

2/24 I was so productive yesterday. I got a lot off of my to do list and I fixed my broken Bose headphones.
2/25 So excited for Taco Tuesday on Wednesday. (See above where we saw the Lego Movie.)
2/26 I was so anxious about Junior League neighborhood meeting. It was at a member's home and I didn't know that member and I wasn't sure who else was in my neighborhood. But it was great!

LL Bean Signature Dress + Ugg Boots =
Little House on the Prairie Look

New Year's Resolution Updates
I did not exercise at all except for going for a walk and going sledding. I also didn't use myfitnesspal to track my food intake until this week. But hopefully I can keep up with tracking. I stopped drinking enough water using my water bottle really helps so I have to fill it up even when I'm at home. I'm flossing and using my Clarisonic pretty regularly. I am still so full of envy but I am working on finding the joy in my own life as you can see from my Thankfuls above. I am working on saving money. We averaged $36 a week on groceries (food items only) this month according to Mint! We did stockpile non-food grocery items (vitamins, paper towels, toilet paper). Over all in terms of saving it looks like our net income for February was positive so that puts us a little closer to owning a home!

How was your month? How are you doing with your new year's resolutions (if you had any that is)? What do you think of all my crazy facial expressions in my OOTDs?