Happy 2014 everyone! It’s hard to believe that the New Year is really here! I know people feel strongly about New Year’s resolutions, but I like to use this time to reflect on the previous year and make goals for the new year. Not that you can’t do this at any point in the year, but the 1st of January serves as a reminder to me to look back at where I’ve come from and consider where I want to go. I also like to write down resolutions, but I don’t beat myself up if I fall off the bandwagon or don’t achieve my goals as quickly as I’d like. The important thing is that I try.
Here are three of my resolutions for 2014 (the rest are written down in my little notebook):
1. Blog– I can see my blog growing every year and I’m proud of that. I’m always striving to improve my blog and that will continue in 2014. I’d like to develop new skills, whether it’s getting better in photoshop or practicing more with my DSLR.
2. Language– I like learning languages- I studied French and Spanish in high school and college. Since I graduated, I haven’t really been practicing either language. I don’t want to completely lose everything I’ve learned, so I think it would be fun to do something like take a class to brush up on my skills or find a language partner.
3. Style- I really want to work on developing my personal style. I’m getting better at buying clothes for quality over quantity, but I still have a ways to go. I need to fill in some gaps in my wardrobe and add a few classic pieces. You know that feeling where you’re staring at clothes in your closet and feel like none of them suit you? I’d like to get rid of that feeling and fill my closet with my pieces that I truly love.
Also, in the spirit of reflecting, I thought it would be fun to look back at the blog and pick out my five favorite posts from last year. Here they are in no particular order…
Best Sunday Ever: Beyoncé in Brooklyn
Tell me: How do you feel about New Year’s resolutions? If you have any you’d like to share, I’d love to read about them in the comments below. Happy New Year! (top image via)
![It's a very belated book haul! These are the four books I picked up on my trip to Australia back in May. Of course I had to check out some bookstores on my first trip to Sydney and I think I ended up visiting 9 in total (check out my stories to see the mini bookstore vlog I made)!
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It was so fun book shopping over there since majority of the covers are different from our US covers. I couldn't resist this pretty edition of PACHINKO, which I've already read. And when I picked up this copy of PEOPLE PERSON, I was so excited to see it because it wasn't out yet in the US at that time. I also bought two books that I hadn't heard of before I discovered them in the bookstore: IDOL and LOVE AND OTHER PUZZLES.
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Do you tend to prefer US or UK book covers?
[P.S. This is an old photo that includes a HarperCollins UK title, but please note that I support the HarperCollins Union.]
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[ID: A stack of the following books sits on top of white bedding in front of a white wall (from top to bottom): PACHINKO, IDOL, LOVE AND OTHER PUZZLES, PEOPLE PERSON.]
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#Pachinko #Idol #LoveAndOtherPuzzles #PeoplePerson #whattoread #beautifulbooks #bookhaul #booksandtravel #travelandbooks #bookishaesthetic #bookstacks #bookstacklove #ukbookcovers #ukbookhaul #newbooks #bookbuying #bookpurchases #coolgirlsread #readerslife #bookishcommunity #australiatrip #stackofbooks #bookwormlife #booksandbooks](https://starcrossedsmile.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
Happy New Year to you too! Your first resolution is one of mine as well :)
Thanks Amaris! Best of luck with your resolutions this year!
Great resolutions, my dear!! I wish you the best of luck in achieving them this year! Happy 2014!
Thanks so much Jessica :) Happy 2014 to you too!
happy new year! i don’t like to make lists because i have been horrible at keeping them, but i do have one for this year — to read more! hope 2014 has lot of great things stored for you!
I think reading more is a fantastic goal! Thank you Jane :)
Those are great resolutions! I didn’t know you spoke those languages! Happy New Year, friend!
stylethroughhereyes.com
Thank you! At this point, it’s like (used to) speak those languages- I need to work on getting my skills back! Happy 2014 Jenmarie :)
Perfect resolutions Nnenna – you should definitely keep at learning second languages… I feel like all the spanish I knew is gone, and it’s kind of sad. So many people in the world know numerous languages while it seems like most people here can barely speak english.
Thank you Lydia :) I agree, I feel like learning other languages is a much higher priority in other countries than it is here. Refreshing my language skills is definitely something I want to work on this year.
You were so close to Beyonce! I guess one of my resolutions would have to be to see her in concert ;) I really love the copycat look, and I also would like to experiment with my personal style a lot more in the coming months.
Brittney
anotherbeautifulthing.blogspot.com
We were so close to Beyonce! It was definitely an amazing experience- I hope you get the chance to see her too!
Thanks Brittney :) I’m hoping to go through my wardrobe in the next few weeks and figure out what key pieces I’m missing. Best of luck with taking chances with your style this year!
Happy new year :) Great resolutions! Look like you had a fantastic 2013!!
katattack2000.wordpress.com
Thank you Kat and Happy New Year to you too!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
let’s definitely plan to get together in 2014 :) asap!
come enter my giveaway today!
http://bellesandrebelles.blogspot.com/2014/01/penelopes-vintage-pom-beanie-and-olsen.html
xx.M
http://www.bellesandrebelles.blogspot.com
Yes please- are you maybe free next week? Coming over to check out your giveaway! :)